Sporting go all in up front! Suárez and Ioannidis just the latest arrivals | OneFootball

In the last three years, Sporting's recruitment strategy has clearly focused on strengthening the attack, with a strong emphasis on forwards. Since Frederico Varandas assumed the presidency, the club's management has invested €181.3 million in the market. Of this amount, around 83.4 million euros (potentially reaching 95M with bonuses) were allocated to just four goal scorers.

The investment in Swedish player Viktor Gyokeres marked a turning point. With a cost of 24 million euros (including bonuses), the forward responded with absolutely extraordinary numbers: 97 goals in 102 games, two championships won, the status of the world's top scorer, and a record transfer of 76M to Arsenal. One of the most successful signings in the history of the Alvalade Club.

The following summer, Sporting returned to the market and brought in Danish player Conrad Harder for 19 million euros, intended as a direct alternative to Gyokeres. Despite a more discreet role, the attacker shone in decisive moments, such as in the Portuguese Cup final. After a season with 12 goals and seven assists in 47 games, he was sold to Leipzig for 24 million euros.

With the departures of Gyokeres and Harder, the management wasted no time and strengthened the attack with two significant acquisitions: Luis Suárez from Almería and Fotis Ioannidis, a forward who had already been on the radar since his time at Panathinaikos. Together, the investment could reach 52 million euros, unprecedented amounts for the club, which spent 64.4M in this last transfer window alone.

This aggressive investment in forwards reveals a clear strategy: to pay dearly for goals that bring titles and financial returns. Gyokeres and Harder fulfilled this role, and now all eyes are on Suárez and Ioannidis, whom Carlos Saleiro considers could play as a duo in the attack. The first games of this season already suggest that Sporting continues to invest heavily, and so far, with guaranteed returns.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.