Portugal to Premier League moves - how will Gyokeres compare to other transfers?

Viktor Gyokeres has completed a £64 million transfer from Sporting to Arsenal, generating mixed reactions about his Premier League potential. Rio Ferdinand expressed skepticism on his podcast, stating, "I don't think he's the guy," after closely observing him three times and concluding Gyokeres wouldn't capitalize on opportunities in England's top flight.

The 27-year-old Swedish striker joins Arsenal with exceptional statistics from his time at Sporting, having scored 97 goals and provided 26 assists in 102 appearances. His most recent season saw a remarkable average of over a goal per game, netting 54 times in 52 matches across all competitions.

Ferdinand previously questioned Gyokeres' suitability during earlier links to Manchester United, asking whether he possessed the necessary qualities beyond physicality to score consistently in the Premier League. However, Bjorn Hamberg – Gyokeres' former assistant coach at Brighton – countered these concerns by affirming to BBC Sport that the striker "has got the physicality for sure."

Gyokeres' journey to prominence included leaving Brighton without playing a Premier League minute, followed by loan spells at Swansea, Coventry, and St Pauli before his explosive form at Sporting under Manchester United-linked manager Ruben Amorim. His 2024-25 campaign featured 39 Primeira Liga goals and a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, making him the division's top scorer by a significant margin.

The article contextualizes the transfer by noting Cristiano Ronaldo's successful move from Sporting to Manchester United in 2003, highlighting the historical precedent for Portuguese league imports succeeding in England.