Liverpool sent scouts to watch Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres in action at the weekend, according to HITC Football.

The Reds have been keeping tabs on other Sporting players in recent weeks, including Goncalo Inacio and Morten Hjulmand, but it is believed that representatives were in attendance to watch Gyokeres against Vitoria Guimaraes on Sunday.

Gyokeres would have impressed with his display, having scored a brace in the 3-0 win, which puts Sporting just two wins away from winning the league title.

The Swedish international has now hit the back of the net 38 times in all competitions this campaign, as well as providing 16 assists.

Sporting won’t let Gyokeres leave on the cheap

The 25-year-old was signed from Coventry City for €20m last year and a €100m (£86m) release clause was included in his contract.

Coventry are due 15% from any future sale, which means Sporting are unlikely to accept an offer below the current buyout fee. If that is the case, then Liverpool would have to break their transfer record for Gyokeres. Despite his outstanding form this season, you can’t see that happening.

Other Premier League clubs are pursuing the Liverpool target

Reports in the Portuguese media have heavily linked Arsenal and Chelsea with bids for Gyokeres so, it’s unlikely that the Reds will be able to negotiate down the price for the striker, considering the competition for his signature.

There could be one factor in the Merseyside club’s favour, though. Gyokeres‘s agent has stated that the player has a close relationship with his current manager Ruben Amorim.

If the Portuguese coach is appointed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor, it may help facilitate a move for Gyokeres. However, at the moment, that is only a hypothetical scenario. For now, it seems as if Liverpool are simply keeping tabs on Europe’s most in-form no.9.