Barcelona sporting director Deco has downplayed the club’s interest in Sporting CP’s star striker, Viktor Gyokeres, confirming that the Swedish international is “not a priority” for the La Liga champions.
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Gyokeres, who has become a highly sought-after striker with his remarkable scoring record of 66 goals in 68 matches over the past two seasons, has drawn attention from Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City.
Gyokeres’ prolific form in Portugal has also attracted Bayern Munich, although the German club already has Harry Kane leading their attack. The 26-year-old’s release clause with Sporting is set at £83 million, but reports suggest Sporting may be open to offers around £63 million next summer.
However, despite the potential price drop, Deco has clarified that Barcelona is not currently in the market for a new No. 9, as they remain committed to veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.
“He is a good player, and he has been scoring goals in Portugal,” Deco told Spanish media, “but he is not a priority for us at the moment. We have Robert [Lewandowski] who is happy here and scoring, and we want him to stay for another season.”
Deco emphasized that Barcelona’s primary focus is on maintaining their current squad stability rather than pursuing new attacking options.
Deco also addressed speculation about a possible move for Erling Haaland, another striker linked with Barcelona in recent years. While acknowledging Haaland’s talents, Deco stated that Barcelona does not have plans to sign a new striker in the immediate future, reiterating the club’s current stance on prioritizing stability and squad cohesion.
Gyokeres, meanwhile, has four years remaining on his Sporting contract, but the Portuguese club appears to be coming to terms with the likelihood of losing their prized asset by the end of the season.
Following Gyokeres’ impressive Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, Sporting manager Ruben Amorim was asked if he would consider bringing the striker to a future club, should he move.
Amorim humorously dismissed the idea, indicating his commitment to Sporting and emphasizing that Gyokeres should complete his season with the Lisbon-based club.