Premier League Manager Reveals Heartbreak Over Losing Viktor Gyokeres to Sporting CP Before Arsenal's Pursuit
Fulham boss Marco Silva disclosed that he previously passed on Viktor Gyökeres in favor of keeping Aleksandar Mitrović, a choice that might return to trouble the Cottagers.
Gyökeres captured the interest of multiple European powerhouses following two outstanding campaigns spearheading Sporting CP's offensive line. The forward netted 97 goals across 102 matches for the Portuguese side, leading Arsenal to acquire the 29-year-old for an upfront payment of €63.5 million (£54.8 million, $74.2 million) during this transfer window.
Prior to his breakthrough in Lisbon, however, Gyökeres excelled at Coventry City, recording 43 strikes during his two-and-a-half-year stint with the team. While his Championship displays weren't sufficient to attract the Premier League's elite six clubs, other middle-tier teams, including Fulham, recognized the striker's potential.
"This narrative that nobody had spotted Gyökeres is complete nonsense," Silva stated during a Canal 11 interview. "The elite English clubs didn't spot him, that's clear. It's challenging for a player to move from Coventry to England's top teams, and back then, he wasn't prepared for that leap.
"However, England's mid-tier clubs had all taken notice, so much that there were several purchase offers for Gyökeres, particularly during those two seasons when he made his mark," Silva explained.
The manager was among those interested parties representing Fulham, even going so far as to reach out to the Sweden international's representative.
"I eventually contacted Gyökeres's representative, or rather the club made contact with Gyökeres's representative," Silva revealed. "But we also possessed a world-class striker in Mitrović, who wouldn't be simple to substitute."
Fulham placed their faith in Mitrović, which proved to be an incorrect long-term strategy. While the Serbian did net 111 goals during his tenure with the Cottagers, he subsequently departed the club in Aug. 2023 to join Al Hilal. That identical summer saw Gyökeres move to Sporting CP.
The overlooked transfer will persist as a significant "what if" scenario for Fulham, particularly if the striker thrives in the Premier League when he suits up for the Gunners next campaign.
Arsenal are counting on Gyökeres to solve their offensive struggles. Mikel Arteta was compelled to deploy natural midfielder Mikel Merino as his primary No. 9 last season during an injury epidemic that virtually destroyed the English club's Premier League championship aspirations.
"I believe [Gyökeres will] suit a style of play that Arsenal employs," Silva concluded. "They possess very capable midfielders and wide players, so he'll integrate seamlessly. In structured attacks, when Arsenal operates in their advanced positions. He'll make a difference; whether he'll replicate his Portuguese success, we'll need to observe his adjustment."