Coventry City will face a huge battle in the summer to retain the services of striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has enjoyed another outstanding campaign in the Championship. The Midlands outfit are still in contention to reach the Premier League in the dying embers of the season through the playoffs. There are offers available to back the Sky Blues to push for the top flight, which would end their 20-year exile from the Premier League.
Promotion is crucial for Mark Robins’ men, who are staring down the prospect of losing their standout striker. Coventry will not have a better chance of reaching the top-flight than with Gyokeres, whose goals have propelled the Sky Blues into the promotion race after a slow start to the campaign.
Should Coventry fail to finish in one of the four playoff spots, the Sweden international would likely pursue a move to the Premier League, which his talent more than justifies. Robins and his team would then have to start their whole project again in an attempt to lure a striker of his calibre back to the Midlands. It’s a worrying prospect for the Sky Blues given their perilous financial situation, although Gyokeres would command at least a £20 million fee from interested suitors, which would give the club a chance to rebuild.
But, there are not many strikers of Gyokeres’ ability available in the second tier.
Rare Talent
Gyokeres is a rare talent in the Championship as he possesses all the qualities that teams crave out of a striker in the modern era. It has been a dramatic rise for Gyokeres, considering he failed to score in 11 appearances on loan at Swansea from Brighton and Hove Albion. He then made his move to Coventry in another short-term switch and notched three goals in 19 appearances, which hardly set the world alight. Nevertheless, the club were convinced to part with £1 million to secure Gyokeres’ signature on a permanent basis, and they have not been disappointed since.
Gyokeres has the size and strength to play up front on his own against physical centre-backs in the Championship. He ensures that defenders are made to work in each exchange, never backing down from a challenge both in the air and on the ground. Gyokeres has a tireless work rate and has exceptional durability, playing almost 100 percent of games for the Sky Blues since his arrival.
The most important aspect of any striker is their ability to finish. Gyokeres is deadly in front of goal, displaying the quality to find the net in different ways. He has all the credentials of a top striker and will be looking to showcase his talents in the Premier League. At the age of 24, the time is right for him to make the leap with the Sky Blues, or elsewhere.
Who Could Sign Gyokeres?
If the Sky Blues are unable to secure promotion to the top flight, Gyokeres will likely be on the move for a large transfer fee. There will be no shortage of clubs interested in the Swedish international. Indeed, Coventry have done well to fend off interest over the past two transfer windows to retain his services.
Burnley could be willing to spend to secure his signature amid their impending promotion back to the top flight. Sheffield United and Middlesbrough would also make a lot of sense, if they were to secure paths back to the Premier League.
Picture by UnSplash.
There are a number of clubs in the top flight that have already noted an interest in the forward. But, it will depend on which teams remain in the Premier League amid the tense battle at the foot of the table. West Ham are locked in that battle, but do have the budget and the need to freshen up their line-up at the top end of the pitch. They already made a successful move for Jarrod Bowen from the Championship three years ago, and Gyokeres could continue the trend.
Everton are in a perilous position too, but Gyokeres would be a natural fit under Sean Dyche, displaying a physical edge, strong work rate and an eye for goal.
The 24-year-old’s future will be one of the storylines to watch this summer. The Sky Blues must be braced to lose their key man if they fail in their promotion bid.
