Chelsea is reportedly poised to bolster their attacking options by targeting Viktor Gyokeres, the highly-rated striker from Sporting CP. With Christopher Nkunku failing to make the desired impact under manager Enzo Maresca, the club is ready to trigger the Swedish forward’s £83 million release clause to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Despite having a strong attacking lineup with players like Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, João Félix, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, and Pedro Neto, Chelsea is still in search of a consistent goal-scorer. While Palmer has been a standout performer this season, contributing 12 goals and assists in 11 Premier League appearances, the team is lacking a reliable finisher to lead the attack.
Nkunku, who was signed from RB Leipzig for £52 million, was expected to play a key role for Chelsea this season. However, injuries have limited him to just 155 minutes of league action, and while he has scored ten goals across all competitions, his availability issues have raised concerns about his future at the club. Reports suggest that Manchester United is monitoring his situation, and Nkunku has even considered a January move to revive his career. Given this uncertainty, Chelsea is looking to secure a top-tier striker, with Gyokeres emerging as a top target.
Gyokeres has been in outstanding form for Sporting CP under coach Ruben Amorim. His goal-scoring ability and overall contributions have earned him comparisons to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, with Dutch football legend Rafael van der Vaart even claiming that Gyokeres is “a better version of Haaland.” His impressive Champions League stats, including an average of 1.3 goals per 90 minutes, further underscore his reputation as a prolific striker.
In addition to his goal-scoring abilities, Gyokeres is known for his dribbling and playmaking skills, which would suit Chelsea’s fast-paced attacking style. His combination of physical strength and technical ability makes him well-suited to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
Chelsea’s struggles in attack this season have been apparent. Nicolas Jackson has shown promise but lacks experience, while Mudryk and Madueke are still adjusting to the top flight. João Félix has shown glimpses of brilliance but has yet to establish consistency. The addition of Gyokeres would provide a much-needed focal point for the attack, offering Chelsea a dependable goal-scorer.
A potential partnership between Gyokeres and Palmer could be especially exciting. Palmer’s creativity, paired with Gyokeres’ finishing, could transform Chelsea’s offensive approach and make them a more formidable attacking unit.
For Chelsea supporters, signing Gyokeres would represent a bold statement of intent. It would underline the club’s ambitions under Maresca’s leadership and show that Todd Boehly’s investment strategy is set to pay off. If the deal goes through, Gyokeres could be the missing piece to complete Chelsea’s attacking setup.
However, the move also raises questions about Nkunku’s future at Chelsea. If Gyokeres joins the team, Nkunku could see his playing time further diminished, potentially accelerating his exit from the club. Whether Nkunku stays and fights for his place or looks for opportunities elsewhere remains to be seen.
As the January transfer window progresses, all eyes will be on Chelsea to see if they activate Gyokeres’ release clause. If they do, Stamford Bridge could soon welcome a new star to lead the club’s offensive charge.
