8 months ago
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Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez believes Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres has been one of the best signings in Europe this season.
Gyokeres has made an immediate impact at Sporting since his €24m (£20m) move from Coventry City last summer with 36 goals in 39 appearances for the Portuguese club.
The 25-year-old’s performances have alerted the interest of several clubs across Europe, including both Arsenal and Chelsea, who are looking to sign a new striker at the end of the season.
Martinez’s Portugal side will be hoping to keep Gyokeres quiet when they play Sweden in a friendly on Thursday evening.
And ahead of the game in Guimaraes, heaped praise on Sweden’s in-form striker.
‘For me, he was one of the best signings in the entire European market last summer,’ Martinez said of Gyokeres at his press conference on Wednesday.
‘And it is fantastic for him to be playing in Portuguese football.’
Chelsea submitted a €85m (£73m) bid to sign Gyokeres during the January transfer window.
However, Sporting refused to sell the striker and are holding out for a club to meet his €100mm (£85m) release clause.
When asked about his links with a move away from Sporting this summer, Gyokeres said: ‘It’s a sign that I’ve been performing well, but it’s not something I take too seriously.
‘It’s just speculation, but it’s good and fun to talk about.
‘We’ll see what happens in the summer, I don’t know what will happen. But I really like Sporting and I don’t feel stressed at all for what’s to come.’
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