Gyokeres has proven a revelation since joining Portuguese giant Sporting from Coventry City in 2023, scoring 69 goals in 74 matches across all competitions.

He has fired Sporting – who lost head coach Ruben Amorim to Manchester United last month – to the top of the Liga Portugal, with 12 wins and two defeats from 14 games this season.

Gyokeres has scored 18 goals in 14 league outings in 2024-25, the most of any player in Europe's top 10 leagues, ahead of Robert Lewandowski (16), Harry Kane (14), Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah (13 apiece).

That tally represents an over-performance based on his total figure of 15.07 expected goals (xG), while he boasts a big-chance conversion rate of 62.9 percent and also has five Champions League goals – three of which came in a 4-1 rout of Manchester City last month.

His remarkable rise has led to suggestions he could join a Premier League giant next year, and the striker has made no secret of his desire to make the step up.

"We will see. There are many rumours circulating, but we are in the middle of the season, there are still many months left," Gyokeres said after winning the Guldbollen award, awarded by the outlet to the best-performing Swedish player each year.

"We will see when the time comes what will happen. Playing in one of the best teams in Europe, that is the objective."

However, Gyokeres remains grateful to Sporting for its role in his development and is not worried about the timing of his next move.

"Sometimes it has been difficult. I've played many seasons in the Championship. It's a very good and tough league, but it's clear that I've always wanted to play in an important league," he said.

"For me it doesn't matter, it can take as long as necessary.

"When I got here I felt prepared. I could have come here when I was 19 or 20 years old, but perhaps I would not have performed at the same level as now.

"It's difficult to understand that sometimes it's real, but that stimulates me and I want to continue playing. You can always do better, score more goals."