Frederico Varandas pulls out all the stops for Sporting’s attack | OneFootball

Sporting’s transfer policy over the last three years has followed a clear path: heavy investment in goal scorers. Since the beginning of Frederico Varandas’ term, the club’s SAD has spent €181.3 million in the market — an impressive figure that takes on even more weight when you consider that almost half, €83.4 million (potentially €95M with bonuses), was spent on just four strikers.

The signing of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres marked a turning point. With a cost of €24 million (including bonuses), the forward delivered absolutely extraordinary numbers: 97 goals in 102 games, two league titles, the status of world 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 striker Conrad Harder for €19 million, intended as a direct alternative to Gyokeres. Despite a more discreet role, the striker shone in decisive moments, such as the Portuguese Cup final. After a season with 12 goals and seven assists in 47 games, he was eventually sold to Leipzig for €24 million.

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

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

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