Liverpool Plot £64m Move for ‘World-Class’ Viktor Gyokeres – A Transfer Story Bigger Than Sesko

The final whistle of the 2024/25 Premier League season brought joy to the red half of Merseyside. Arne Slot, in his debut campaign as Liverpool manager, had pulled off the unthinkable—he led the club to a sensational league title. It was a remarkable achievement that silenced doubters and gave fans dreams of a new golden era. But inside the corridors of Anfield, celebration was brief. Plans had already begun for the next season. And at the top of the list? A new striker.

Darwin Núñez had given his all. He had moments of brilliance, a few goals here and there, and flashes of passion. But the reality was brutal. Seven goals in 44 matches. It wasn’t good enough. Not for a club like Liverpool. Not for a team hungry to retain their title and fight in Europe. Atlético Madrid had been circling, and the feeling inside the club was clear—it was time to let him go. A deal close to £35m looked likely. But that money wouldn’t just disappear. No. It had a new purpose: to find the next great Liverpool forward. And that’s when the name Viktor Gyokeres took center stage.

In the heart of Portugal, wearing the green and white of Sporting CP, the Swedish striker had been setting Europe on fire. 52 goals in just 49 appearances. That kind of form wasn’t a fluke. It was dominance. It was power, precision, and pure hunger. TalkSPORT reported that Liverpool had identified him as a serious target. Not just another option. A real contender. A game-changer.

But Liverpool weren’t alone in this pursuit. Arsenal were watching. Manchester United too. Two Premier League rivals ready to compete for his signature. And the asking price? £64 million. A big number. But for Liverpool, the conversation had already moved beyond price. It was about value. About fit. About impact. And according to those inside Anfield, Gyokeres ticked every box.

At the same time, another name had entered the conversation—Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian striker from RB Leipzig had also enjoyed a strong season in Germany, scoring 13 goals in 31 matches. He was younger, just 21, and came with a slightly lower price tag. A £55m release clause made him a tempting option. But comparisons soon began to paint a clear picture. Gyokeres wasn’t just better—he was on another level. The stats were brutal. In almost every category, the Swede had outperformed Sesko:

Gyokeres wasn’t just a finisher. He was a creator. A machine in the final third. A player who could carry the ball, link play, beat his man, and set up teammates. One analyst even called him “world-class.” A term used rarely in today’s game, and never lightly.

At 26, he wasn’t a project. He was ready now. Ready to lead the line. Ready to help Liverpool compete on all fronts. And with Darwin Núñez on the way out, that position was wide open.

But the story wasn’t just about numbers. It was about identity. Under Arne Slot, Liverpool had begun to evolve. The pressing and intensity remained, but there was now a sharper focus on control and technical quality. Players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister had become central to this new vision. Gyokeres, with his blend of strength and subtlety, seemed made for this system.

There were, of course, challenges. Convincing Gyokeres to choose Liverpool over Arsenal or United would take more than just money. It would take vision. Persuasion. A promise of regular minutes and a central role. But the club believed they had the tools to get it done.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impending exit had hit fans hard. His announcement that he would leave on a free transfer sparked outrage across the fanbase. But in a strange way, it sharpened the club’s focus. They knew the summer would be one of change. But alongside exits, there would be new arrivals.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk had both extended their contracts—huge wins for the club. Two leaders staying on. Two pillars of the squad. But Slot wanted more. He needed options. Depth. Firepower. Gyokeres was seen as the jewel in the crown.

Inside Anfield, discussions were intense. Was £64m too much? Could they negotiate a better fee? Would Arsenal come in with a last-minute hijack attempt? Would United offer more wages? All those questions loomed. But the one answer that kept coming back was simple—Gyokeres was worth it.

Supporters online had already begun dreaming. “Mo won’t be happy if we sign a striker who will score more,” one joked on a fan forum. “Gyokeres ain’t gonna get a pass off Mo next season if he comes.”

It was tongue-in-cheek, but it revealed the excitement. Fans wanted this move. They wanted a striker who could take over games. One who didn’t just run into space but punished teams. A finisher. A provider. A warrior.

Liverpool had seen a version of this before. In 2013-14, it was Suarez and Sturridge. Two forwards who terrorized defences. Could Gyokeres be the start of another lethal partnership? Could he link up with Salah or even Cody Gakpo to form the next legendary Liverpool trio?

The club wasn’t stopping with just a striker. Reports suggested they were also chasing centre-backs. A new Van Dijk partner. A Quansah backup. A complete summer overhaul. But up top, Gyokeres remained the main focus.

Slot had made it clear—he needed a reliable number 9. Someone who wouldn’t disappear for games. Someone who could score in the Champions League, the FA Cup, the league, and even against top-six rivals. Gyokeres had done that in Portugal. He’d scored hat-tricks. He’d carried Sporting to victories. And now, he looked ready for the Premier League.

His style was unique. A mix of brute power and silky skill. He could drop deep, link play, or run in behind. He could create his own goals or finish off team moves. In many ways, he reminded fans of a prime Diego Costa—relentless, clever, and fearless.

The key question now was whether Liverpool would act fast. They had waited too long in past windows. Players like Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni had slipped through their fingers. This time, they wanted to strike early.

The atmosphere around Anfield had changed. The league title had brought belief back. Slot was seen as a genius, a coach who could modernize the team while respecting its past. And Gyokeres could be the perfect statement signing to show the world that Liverpool weren’t done yet.

As the summer window opened, all eyes were on Merseyside. Would they go all in for Gyokeres? Would Sesko be a plan B? Would Atlético Madrid seal the Nunez deal quickly? Every decision felt like a domino. But behind the scenes, the plan was simple: invest in world-class talent and give Arne Slot the weapons he needs.

And if Viktor Gyokeres does walk through the Shankly Gates in the coming weeks, expect fireworks. Because Liverpool aren’t just buying a striker. They’re buying goals. Power. Bravery. A player built for the biggest stage. The journey to 2025/26 has already begun. And it might just begin with a £64m roar.