Chelsea can still make a deal for Sporting Lisbon star, Viktor Gyökeres happen this January, according to journalist, Simon Phillips.

The Blues have been linked with the prolific Swede for weeks now, but it was recently suggested that a deal for the 25-year-old was now unlikely due to his £85m release clause with the Portuguese club. Instead, names like Jhon Duran (Aston Villa) and Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) have been touted as alternatives, since they’ll cost reasonably less for the Blues to sign them this month.

Phillips has however stated that Chelsea in fact still have their eyes on Gyökeres, and it would be unwise to rule out a deal being struck with Sporting for the former Coventry man this month.

The journalist said on the live blog page of his Substack: “It’s all going on now! Been told to not rule out Gyokeres for THIS WINDOW! They’ve been running the data on him all month are really impressed. Release clause around £80m-£85m. Chelsea enquired but were told they would have to pay it in full. But it’s never been dead…”

Gyökeres has netted 22 goals and picked up 10 assists for Sporting this season.