As Portuguese newspaper Record today features one more piece on Sporting’s chase for Coventry City striker Viktor Gyökeres, they highlight the competition the Lions are set to have from one specific club.
That’s West Ham United.
It all starts with the outlet bringing the latest updates on the pursuit from the Lisbon side. Their manager, Ruben Amorim, reportedly called the player, using the same strategy which proved successful for other signings. And it’s said the 25-year-old became ‘convinced’ about the move.
The race, however, isn’t that simple, because Sporting don’t have enough money to fight Premier League clubs in a potential auction. That’s where West Ham are brought in.
Record writes that the Hammers ‘promise a fight’ for Gyökeres, as they have ‘taken steps’ in the last few hours for the signing.
It’s said that with the upcoming sale of Declan Rice, there will be enough money to invest on the Coventry City player.
Even though West Ham doesn’t sound like the most attractive option to the Portuguese media, as they finished the Premier League in 14th this season, they can still offer him the chance to play in the Europa League.
Sporting are prepared to spend over €20m on Gyökeres, but they need to wait for that investment to be made from July onwards. So maybe if the Hammers act quickly, that’s another advantage for them.