Swansea City: Ex-Swan Viktor Gyokeres now the talk of Europe

He may have struggled for game time during a brief spell with Swansea City – but now Viktor Gyokeres is the talk of Europe.

The Sweden striker, 26, has been linked with several leading Premier League clubs and on Tuesday will lead the line for Sporting against Manchester City in the Champions League.

Since moving to Lisbon in 2023 he has scored 63 goals in 66 matches, and 20 in only 16 this season – a far cry from his time in Wales during the 2020-21 season when he scored just once in 12 games.

Gyokeres began his career with IF Brommapojkarna in Sweden, leaving in 2017 to spend three unsuccesful seasons with Brighton and Hove Albion during which time he had his brief spell in Wales.

Swansea agreed a season-long loan for the then 22-year-old Swede in October 2020, but he was recalled by his Premier League club in January.

Gyokeres started just three games in all competitions for the Swans, making a further nine substitute appearances.

His only goal came in his final outing for the Welsh club, scoring during a 2-0 FA Cup win at League Two Stevenage.

Swansea at the time were second in the Championship under Steve Cooper, who explained the reasons behind Gyokeres’ departure.

“Brighton wanted to recall him, that happened a couple of days ago and he has said his goodbyes,” said Cooper in January 2021.

“I have to say he is a really good guy, and there is a good player in there.

“I think it was a loan that came a bit later than what everyone wanted. He had some bad luck picking up Covid on international duty too.

“He was happy here, but he wanted to play more football.”

Having left Swansea he was quickly back out on loan at Coventry City, subsequently spending two years with the Sky Blues where he scored 39 goals for the Championship side.

The move to Portugal followed for an undisclosed eight-figure fee, and it is fair to say his next price tag may well be among the highest for any player who has previously donned a Swans shirt.