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

Sporting's recruitment policy over the past three years has followed a clear path: invest heavily in goal scorers. Since the beginning of Frederico Varandas' term, the lion's SAD has disbursed €181.3 million in the market: a significant number that gains another weight knowing that almost half, €83.4 million (potentially €95M with bonuses), was applied in just four strikers.

The bet on Swedish Viktor Gyokeres marked a turning point. With a cost of €24 million (already with bonuses), the forward responded with absolutely extraordinary numbers: 97 goals in 102 games, two championships won, the status of 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 Conrad Harder for €19 million, thought as a direct alternative to Gyokeres. Despite a more discreet role, the attacker shone in decisive moments, such as in the final of the Portugal Cup. At the end of a season with 12 goals and seven assists in 47 games, he ended up being sold to Leipzig for €24 million.

With the departures of Gyokeres and Harder, the SAD wasted no time and reinforced the attack front with two heavy acquisitions: Luis Suárez, coming from Almería, and Fotis Ioannidis, a forward who had already been under the radar since Panathinaikos. Between both, the investment can reach up to €52 million, unprecedented values in the club, which spent €64.4M just in this last transfer window.

This aggressive investment in forwards reveals a clear strategy: pay dearly for goals that bring titles and financial return. 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 front. The first games of this season already suggest that Sporting continues to bet heavily, and, so far, with guaranteed return.

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