Chelsea have not tabled a bid worth €85m (£73m) for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, according to the Evening Standard journalist Nizaar Kinsella.
There were reports in the Portuguese media that the Blues had made the offer, but it fell short of the player’s €100m (£86m) release clause. Supporters on X are happy that the club have not bid such a high amount for Gyokeres, who is unproven at the top level:
Thank god
— CFC Away (@CFCAway_) January 16, 2024
I knew that news was fake
— Nkunku🎈🎈 (@livelike_nkunku) January 16, 2024
That’s that cleared up
— RYANBLUE💙 (@RyanBeveridge11) January 16, 2024
Sigh of relief
— Jola (@anjola183) January 16, 2024
Whewwww!
— ARNOLDDD⛩️ (@OOJELE) January 16, 2024
Was wondering what they’re smoking in boardroom
— Armani (@Armani_Peters) January 16, 2024
Good, would cost more than he’s worth
— CfCBant (@Nachefmanefdis) January 16, 2024
Good news, it has to be Victor or no one else ,, we can’t again waste money on someone who won’t be in position to play more than 2 games.focus should be on strong players who can’t get injured any how
— Adulam Junior@10 (@AdulamJ) January 16, 2024
Gyokeres has had a superb season so far
There can be no disputing the fact that the Swedish international has had an excellent campaign, following his move from Coventry City in the summer.
Gyokeres has scored 20 goals and provided 10 assists in 24 appearances, but spending such a high fee on a player who hasn’t played in a top 5 European league or Champions League would have been a massive risk.
Which strikers are Chelsea targeting?
Although there has been a lot of talk about signing Napoli’s Viktor Osimhen or Brentford’s Ivan Toney, both of those players are more likely to move clubs at the end of the season.
For that reason, the Blues are said to be looking at potential short-term solutions. Al-Ittihad’s Karim Benzema has been suggested as a target, while Aston Villa’s young striker Jhon Duran is also reportedly on the club’s radar.
