By Anthony Onifade

28th Mar, 2023 | 10:10pm

Everton must take chance on Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres as transfer news emerge

Coventry City are reportedly expecting a “wave of summer bids” for striker Viktor Gyokeres, and Everton must push to sign him this summer.

The Toffees are one of a number of Premier League sides who are believed to have made approaches to the Sky Blues during the January window, but the Swede decided to remain at the Sky Blues for the remainder of the campaign.

Football League World reported on 27 January that Everton manager Sean Dyche admired the Swedish international and wanted to bring him to Goodison Park.

Everton have desperately needed a goalscoring striker this season, having sold Richarlison to Tottenham for £60m last summer and currently boast the joint-worst record in the division for goals scored (22)

And with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s struggles for fitness frustratingly continuing and Neal Maupay’s failure to set Goodison Park alight since his move from Brighton, the Blues will be prioritising a move for a quality number nine this summer.

According to 90min on Saturday (25 March), Coventry have upped Gyokeres’ asking price from £18m to £20m since the winter window as he has continued his tremendous goalscoring form and the Sky Blues are expecting a wave of offers for the new Swedish international.

Considering the potential war chest the Toffees are set to possess this summer, providing they secure their status in the Premier League, the Blues should be jumping at the chance to pay around £20m for Gyokeres’ services.

The 24-year-old hitman has been in scintillating form Coventry, netting an impressive 18 goals so far this campaign in 38 Championship outings, four more than Everton’s Premier League tally, and also beating his own record from the 21/22 campaign with 17 goals.

Gyokeres will enter the final 12 months in his contract after the end of the season, and Coventry could be willing to cash in. 

However, many fans will attest to the Swede’s lack of top-flight experience and that the Blues should be targeting top-level strikers to address their goalscoring problems but Dyche won’t be losing sleep Gyokere’s lack of experience one bit, having worked wonders with Championship-level strikers before.

The 24-year-old already possesses the capabilities and prowess needed to become a top-level Premier League striker and considering the pressure Everton will be under to improve next season, should they remain in the top flight, taking a risk on Gyokeres could yet prove to be a masterstroke.

He won’t lose his ability to be sharp and potent in the penalty area when facing top-level defenders. In fact, the Swede will be highly motivated to prove he’s got the hallmarks of potentially enjoying the same rise as Harry Kane.

For that reason, signing Gyokeres is a no-brainer. £20m for his services could end up being a brilliant bargain.