According to Il Corriere dello Sport (as quoted by IlBianconero) , Juventus have stepped up their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, with Sporting Lisbon now reportedly favouring a move to Turin for their prolific Swedish striker. After rejecting Arsenal’s offer of around €60 million plus bonuses, Sporting are now entertaining Juventus’ proposal, which could reach €70 million. This figure aligns with the budget Juventus had earmarked for a major striker signing, initially targeting Victor Osimhen before shifting focus to Gyokeres.
Deal Structure and Financial Details
The proposed deal for Gyokeres is expected to be structured with €60 million as a fixed fee, paid in instalments, and an additional €10 million in easily achievable bonuses. These add-ons would be triggered by Juventus qualifying for the Champions League, Gyokeres making a certain number of appearances, and hitting double figures in goals—an expectation well within reach for a striker of his calibre.
Gyokeres, 27, has been a revelation at Sporting, scoring 97 goals in just two seasons, including an astonishing 54 goals in the most recent campaign. His performances have not only dominated the Portuguese league but also caught the eye in European competitions, highlighted by a memorable hat-trick against Manchester City. His playing style—marked by sharp movement in the box and clinical finishing—has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland.
Sporting’s Preference and Juventus’ Strategy
Sporting Lisbon are reportedly encouraging the Juventus move, recognising that the Italian club has the financial means, boosted by Champions League and Club World Cup revenues, to meet their valuation. Juventus are prepared to offer Gyokeres a salary in the range of €7–7.5 million net per season, significantly less than what their current top earner, Dusan Vlahovic, receives.
The Vlahovic Factor
A key element in the Gyokeres deal is the future of Dusan Vlahovic. Juventus’ ability to finalize the Gyokeres transfer hinges on offloading Vlahovic, whose high salary and contract situation limit the club’s financial flexibility. Should Vlahovic depart, Juventus would have the resources and squad space to proceed with the Gyokeres acquisition, making this one of the most significant striker moves for the club since Vlahovic himself arrived.
Meanwhile, Sporting are already lining up a replacement for Gyokeres, closing in on Romulo Cardoso from Goztepe, who scored 13 goals in 29 matches in the Turkish league last season.
