Rangers striker target now “close” to £18.5m switch to Europa League side

Rangers-linked Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres is now “close” to an £18.5m switch to Europa League hopefuls Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that the Portuguese side have held off substantial Premier League interest to close in on a deal for the striker.

The report suggests that Sporting Lisbon have beaten the likes of Everton, West Ham and Brentford to secure the signing of Rangers-linked Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres ahead of next season.

The 25-year-old hitman was instrumental in Coventry City’s run to Wembley in the English Championship last season, netting 23 times in 50 games as the club lost the Premier League Playoff to Luton Town.

In fact, Viktor Gyokeres’ 43 goals in 116 games for Coventry had Rangers ambitiously linked to the forward back in May as the club looked for a new striker option this season.

But as the reported fee Sporting Lisbon are set to pay proves, Viktor Gyokeres was never a realistic target for Rangers, as he gears up for a season in the Europa League in Portugual.

This comes after Sporting Lisbon, who last won the Primeira Liga title in 2021, finished fourth in the Portuguese top flight last season.

Rangers look beyond Viktor Gyokeres links
Rangers have instead appeared to turn their attentions elsewhere in their striker hunt with a series of transfer links in the position this summer.

Reports are claiming Rangers are closing in on a deal for Cremonese striker Cyriel Dessers with Michael Beale not set to stop there either.

Rangers have also been strongly linked with a move for Feyenoord’s Brazilian forward Danilo as the Ibrox side look to mount a more serious title challenge next season.

Whilst Viktor Gyokeres never appeared a realistic target for Rangers, the Ibrox side have also already added to their forward line, signing Atalanta striker Sam Lammers and Brighton forward Abdallah Sima this summer.