Everton transfer news as demand made on Viktor Gyokeres move
Everton have reportedly backed down in their pursuit of Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres and would not pay more than £17.2m, according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
The Sweden international scored 21 goals in 49 Championship matches in a superb individual campaign last season as Coventry lost on penalties to Luton Town in the play-off final.
Gyokeres has long been a target for the Toffees so far this summer, but it looks as if Portuguese giants Sporting are close to sealing a move for his services, according to an update from Fabrizio Romano [4 July].
And according to a new development from O Jogo newspaper [4 July], the Toffees along with West Ham and Bournemouth have backed down from their pursuit of the Swede with the three clubs unwilling to pay above the odds for his services.
Would have been worth it
It’s a real shame to see Gyokeres prefer a move to Portugal than the Premier League, because he certainly seemed ready for the English promised land.
21 goals and 12 assists in the Championship last season was always going to attract heavy interest and such a record had all the makings of a man ready to take the English top-flight by storm.
If Everton are missing out on his signing because of Coventry City’s €20m [£17.2m] valuation then it’s yet another sign of the Toffees’ lack of ambition in the market, with Dyche so desperate to add a regular goalscorer to his ranks for next season.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s struggles for fitness for much of the campaign and Neal Maupay’s failure to set Goodison Park alight since his move from Brighton last summer, the Blues will be prioritising a move for a quality number nine this summer and Gyokeres would have been worth the outlay given his current ability and potential to become a Premier League superstar.
Everton’s loss is Sporting’s great gain. Sour blow.
In other Everton news, two bids have already been received as clubs queue up to sign a first-team Toffees ace.