sky-high transfer fee for Gyökeres sets new record
English Clubs Bolster Roster with High-Profile Signings from Sporting CP
In a series of high-profile transfers, English football clubs have strengthened their squads with the acquisition of several key players from Portuguese powerhouse Sporting CP.
One of the most significant deals of the summer 2025 window saw Viktor Gyokeres move to Arsenal for a total fee of around £63.5 million. The 27-year-old forward, who previously played for Brighton and Coventry in England's second division, signed a five-year deal with the Gunners. Gyokeres' transfer from Sporting CP marks the highest-value acquisition directly from the Portuguese club in this transfer window.
Chelsea also bolstered their roster with the signing of Dário Essugo for a transfer fee of £18.8 million. The Portuguese U-21 international winger joined the Blues on a long-term contract.
Another unspecified Premier League club secured the services of Marcus Edwards for £8.5 million. The midfielder, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain, joined the unnamed club on a multi-year deal.
The exodus of talent from Sporting CP did not stop there. Pedro Porro, a right-back, Matheus Nunes, a midfielder, and Nuno Mendes, a left-back, were all sold for fixed fees of €45 million each. Porro and Mendes had initially been loaned to Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, with loan fees of €5 million and €7 million included in their deals.
In addition to these high-profile signings, Manchester City welcomed Matheus Nunes to their ranks, having signed him for a fixed fee plus €5 million in variable fees. Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte joined Manchester United a year after his signing by Paris Saint-Germain.
The Uruguayan midfielder, who was signed by Paris Saint-Germain for €60 million in 2023, is being pursued by Sporting CP.
The departure of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP in 2020 for a fixed fee of €55 million, plus €25 million for objectives, paved the way for these high-value transfers. €10 million of the objectives-based payment for Fernandes has already been achieved, bringing the total to €65 million.
Meanwhile, Gyökeres dethroned Fernandes at the top of Sporting's all-time transfer market and is leaving the club after two successful years. During his time at Sporting, Gyökeres won the same number of league titles and a Portuguese Cup. His departure marks the seventh-most expensive transfer in the world in the current summer transfer window.
Nani, another key figure in the Portuguese national team, was sold to Manchester United for €25.5 million.
In the 2023/24 season, Gyokeres scored 29 goals in the I Liga, and in the 2024/25 season, he netted 39 goals.
As the summer transfer window draws to a close, it is clear that English clubs have made significant investments in top talent from Sporting CP, reshaping their rosters for the upcoming season.
Portugal's Sporting CP continued to influence the English football landscape, as Manchester United showed interest in signing Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who was previously signed by Paris Saint-Germain for a hefty fee. In addition, English clubs have significantly bolstered their finance through high-profile signings from Sporting CP.
- voorbeeld: Arsenal's acquisition of Viktor Gyokeres, who previously played for Portguese powerhouse Sporting CP, marked one of the most significant deals in the summer 2025 window, costing the club around £63.5 million.*
