Viktor Gyokeres is on course to become the first player outside of Europe’s top five leagues since 2003 to win the European Golden Boot.
The Sporting Lisbon striker scored four goals in his side’s 5-0 win away at Boavista on Sunday night to bring his season tally to 52 in all competitions.
Gyokeres seems destined for a big move this summer following his goalscoring exploitsAFPAnd his seventh hat-trick of the campaign has seen him overtake Liverpool star Mohamed Salah in the race to being crowned as Europe’s most prolific player this term.
With 38 Primeira Liga goals from 30 matches, the Sweden international is now top of the standings.
Gyokeres, who has found the back of the net on ten more occasions in the league than Salah, had been second in the two-way race.
That is because goals scored by footballers in top five divisions across the continent are worth two points.
Whereas goals scored by players outside those leagues are worth just 1.5 points.
As it stands, Gyokeres leads Salah by one point, with the duo having three and four league games left to go respectively.
Should Gyokeres claim the prestigious European Golden Boot – currently held by Harry Kane – he would be the first person to do so outside of the top five leagues since Mario Jardel.
The Brazilian striker, who coincidentally did so while at Sporting, banged in 42 goals in the 2001/02 season.
And Gyokeres is on course to beat that tally, with the ex-Brigton man looking to fire in a third consecutive hat-trick when Sporting face Gil Vicente on Sunday.
Since joining Sporting from Coventry in 2023 for an initial £16million, the 26-year-old has established himself as one of Europe’s top marksmen.
Gyokeres has failed to score in just one league match from his last nine outingsGetty The Swedish star is the most in-form striker in world footballIn just 98 games for the club, he has already scored a whopping 95 goals – in addition to chipping in with 27 assists.
All signs point towards a summer move away from Portugal, with talkSPORT understanding that Arsenal are leading the way to secure his services.
Gyokeres, who was the top scorer in 2024 with 62 goals for club and country, is believed to be available for around £58.5m – £25m below his release clause.
The Gunners were originally thought to be eyeing up a move for RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko having identified him as their preferred alternative to dream target Alexander Isak.
But with Isak seemingly set to remain at St James’ Park with Newcastle on course to qualify for the Champions League, Gyokeres has emerged as a potential option.
New sporting director Andrea Berta is a known huge admirer of Gyokeres, with a decision to be made over whether Arsenal prioritise him over Sesko.
A deal to sign the former Swansea forward isn’t understood to be a difficult one with the player open to making a switch to north London having been left impressed by Mikel Arteta‘s project.
Gyokeres was asked about a move to the Emirates earlier this month, but he remained tight-lipped over his future.
Pressed as to whether he likes London, with a smile on his face, he simply stated: “I like Lisbon.”
When commenting on his reported gentleman’s agreement with Sporting that he can leave in the upcoming window, Gyokeres remarked: “I can’t say anything about that.”
Before adding: “No one can predict what will happen, we enjoy the moment.”
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