Dyche reveals he tried to sign Gyokeres for Everton but found 'the numbers kept growing'

VIKTOR GYOKERES is one of world football's hottest properties with a €100million release clause and Sean Dyche has revealed he tried to sign him for Everton.

- By CHRIS BEESLEY

Gyokeres has plundered 97 goals in 102 games since joining Lisbon-based Sporting CP including 68 in just 66 Portuguese Primeira Liga matches.

But he is currently at loggerheads with his club given the intense demand for his signature from some of Europe's biggest side, including leading lights in the Premier League.

It is understood that the Sweden international believes he reached a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting last summer that would see the club accept a fee in the region of (£60m including add-ons at the end of the season.

However, the Portuguese are holding out for a significantly higher fee and club president Frederico Varandas has accused the 27-year-old’s entourage of trying to “blackmail” them with the player himself threatening to go on strike.