'I don't think anything of it': £73m striker rubbishes Chelsea transfer speculation

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino, January 2024
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has played down talk of a move to Chelsea, insisting he is firmly focused on banging in the goals for his current club.

Gyokeres, 25, has found the net 22 times in 25 appearances since joining Sporting from Championship outfit Coventry City last summer.

And the Sweden international's prolific form isn't going unnoticed, with Chelsea tipped to make a £73m swoop this transfer window.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - 2023/12/18: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP celebrates a goal during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Sporting CP and FC Porto at Estadio Jose Alvalade. (Final score: Sporting CP 2 - 0 FC Porto). (Photo by Henrique Casinhas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Gyokeres has been in the form of his life since making the switch to Sporting (Image credit: Getty Images)

Gyokeres appears unperturbed by such rumours, though, telling Portuguese outlet Sport TV (via Sports Mole): "I don't think anything about it. I'm here and we have important games; I'm focused on that. There's a lot of talk on social media and other places, but I'm not focused on that. I don't think about anything else. I'm here now and I'm 100% focused on this and the club."

Signed for an initial €20m (around £17m) back in July, Gyokeres' 13 league goals – the second-most in the Primeira Liga this season – have fired Sporting to the top of the table.

The six-foot-two frontman was on target 40 times in 97 games for Coventry, having failed to break through at Brighton – who signed him from Swedish club Brommapojkarna as a 19-year-old.

SOLNA, SWEDEN - SEPTEMBER 12: Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Sweden and Austria at on September 12, 2023 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

Gyokeres has won 19 caps for Sweden, scoring five goals (Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea are already three goals away from equalling their total for the whole of last term, but the Blues still lack a prolific scorer.

Nicolas Jackson has flattered to deceive and fellow summer centre-forward arrival Christopher Nkunku missed the first four months of the campaign injured – then finally made his debut in December, only to be sidelined again after just a handful of appearances.

More transfer stories from FourFourTwo

Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with one of Serie A's hottest properties, but they could face stiff competition from a fellow European giant.

Meanwhile, Liverpool appear to be lining up the latest recruit in their ongoing midfield revamp.

And, elsewhere in the Premier League, Newcastle are said to be aiming to beat a number of domestic rivals to a sought-after star.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...