Premier League return ´will have to wait´ for Gyokores, says former Portugal defender Andrade

Viktor Gyokeres should focus on continuing to shine for Primeira Liga leaders Sporting CP and not be tempted by a move away, according to former Portugal defender Jorge Andrade.

The Sweden striker has been a revelation since his move from Coventry City in 2023, topping the league’s scoring charts with 29 goals last season as the Lions won the Primeira Liga title.

Gyokeres has netted 12 times already for club and country this term, including in his last eight outings after scoring on his Champions League debut in Tuesday’s 2-0 win against Lille.

Liverpool and Arsenal are reportedly keen on landing the 26-year-old’s signature, though Andrade – speaking at the Thinking Football Summit organised by Liga Portugal – believes Gyokeres should stay put.

Goal machine#UCL pic.twitter.com/RwDe1xeGvK

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 17, 2024

“Viktor has already been to England and played in the Championship. That makes you wonder if he should come back to the Premier League so quickly,” Andrade, speaking at the Thinking Football Summit organised by Liga Portugal, told Stats Perform.

“He is adapting very well to the Portuguese league. He can play in the Champions League with Sporting. He can be the biggest star of a great club like Sporting. You will have to wait [for him to return to England].

“The values are high, but he’s a player who values those values. He’s a very strong player, he makes a difference in the club he’s at.

“He’s already in Sweden’s national team. He is one of the key players in that team that has been down a lot since [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic left.

“But I think he is a great player, and he will not think about the Premier League immediately.

“I’m sure that in the future, if Sporting is successful, he can still go to that great league.”