JuicyTalk
Sporting CP have moved swiftly to sign a replacement for Viktor Gyokeres, snapping up Luis Suárez from Almeria.
Gyokeres joined Arsenal over the weekend, ending the Gunners’ long pursuit of the Sweden international and leaving a major hole in the Sporting squad.
The Primeira Liga champions will hope 27-year-old Suarez can replicate Gyokeres’ performances in Lisbon having scored 31 goals and added eight assists for Almeria last season.
I want to win titles with Sporting – Suarez
The Colombian told the club’s official website: “I have reached the highest point of my career. I really want to give a positive response to the management who trusted me and to the fans who received me so well. I want to show that I have what it takes to be here.
“I want to achieve the goals of the club, which is the most important thing. I want to help the team by scoring goals, because that’s what they signed me for, and make assists, win games, win titles…
“That’s what I lack in my career: winning important trophies. I believe that at Sporting CP we can win a lot and that, for me, would be the most beautiful thing that could happen.
“I arrive wanting to ‘devour the world’, and I believe that by your side, with your support, we have a great team that can achieve all its goals.”
Suarez, who will wear the number 97 shirt, has cost €22million with an additional €5m in potential add-ons.
Gyokeres set for Arsenal debut
Gyokeres has joined Arsenal on their pre-season tour of Asia and is set to make his debut in the North London derby clash against Tottenham in Hong Kong on Thursday.
Although Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is eager to integrate the 27-year-old as soon as possible, he admits Gyokeres has not been involved in any training since the conclusion of Sporting’s title-winning campaign.
“Well, I think he hasn’t had a single training session with the team since the last game with Sporting when they became champions,” Arteta said.
“So we will assess him tomorrow, he’s done all the medicals, everything is looking good, but to get him up to speed with the right levels of fitness, I think is very important.
“So we’re not going to stop him, we want him with us as quick as possible, but we’ll have to assess, and the medical team will do that.”
