It’s no secret that Manchester United are fighting to sign a new striker to provide more goals for manager Erik ten Hag next season. After a poor goalscoring record by the Red Devils last season, the club is actively pursuing a high-quality striker this summer.
United’s quest for a new striker remains ongoing, but limited finances and concerns regarding Financial Fair Play regulations present a significant challenge for Ten Hag.
The Dutchman has long prioritized acquiring a No.9, recognizing the over-dependence on Marcus Rashford, despite the forward’s impressive performance in the previous season.
Wout Weghorst’s loan deal did not yield the desired results, and the 30-year-old is unlikely to return, while there is also uncertainty surrounding Anthony Martial’s future at the club.
United had identified Harry Kane as their top target for the summer transfer window, with the Tottenham striker being a highly sought-after player.
Another player who had impressed with his goal-scoring abilities in Italy, specifically with Napoli, was Victor Osimhen. However, acquiring such renowned names comes with significant financial demands, especially in the striker position where prices tend to be high.
Tottenham and Napoli are unlikely to entertain offers for their star strikers, Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, respectively.
However, if United were to make a move, it would likely require a bid exceeding £100 million. Cheaper alternatives previously considered, such as Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta or Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt, won’t come much cheaper either.
The £60 million signing of Mason Mount has already depleted roughly half of United’s summer budget. Additionally, Tn Hag still needs to find a new first-choice goalkeeper.
Although it may not be the most desirable option for fans, a sensible move could be to bring in a temporary No.9 and wait for a more favourable market in the following summer.
Here are the five striker options who could help Manchester United save millions this summer:
1. Mehdi Taremi
Erik ten Hag has reportedly shown interest in Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, who had an exceptional season in Portugal, scoring 31 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions.
Although this has been his best-ever scoring season, his overall record of 80 goals in 147 matches over three seasons demonstrates consistent performances.
At 30 years old, Taremi may not be the youngest player, but he continues to find the back of the net regularly. With his contract set to expire next summer, there is a possibility of acquiring him at a reduced price.
Reports from Portugal suggest that a fee of around €20 million (approximately £17 million) could be sufficient to secure his services.
2. Viktor Gyökeres
Gyökeres had an impressive season in the Championship, scoring 21 goals and providing 12 assists in 46 appearances. His performances have garnered interest from clubs in the Premier League and across Europe.
While some fans may not be overly enthused by the prospect of signing a player from the second tier, it should be noted that the 25-year-old outperformed the highly promising Amad.
Sporting Lisbon are said to be in advanced negotiations to secure the services of the Sweden international for a fee of just £18.5 million.
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However, the final terms of the deal are yet to be finalized, and United would likely believe they have a chance to persuade the striker to change his mind if they decide to pursue him.
3. Moussa Dembele
Dembele, whose contract with Lyon recently expired, is currently a free agent in search of a new club. The 26-year-old striker had a challenging season, scoring only three goals while spending most of his time on the bench.
However, Dembele has shown his quality in previous campaigns. During his five-year tenure at Lyon, he scored an impressive 70 goals in 172 appearances.
He initially gained attention as a promising young forward during his time at Fulham and later at Celtic. Erik ten Hag may have confidence in his ability to unlock the potential of this talented but inconsistent player.
4. Noah Okafor
The Swiss striker has garnered interest from various Premier League clubs following a promising season with RB Salzburg.
The 23-year-old impressed by scoring 10 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions, including three goals in six Champions League matches before a metatarsal fracture prematurely ended his season in April.
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Recent reports linking Okafor with other clubs have indicated that Salzburg would require a fee of around £25 million for the talented young striker. However, since Okafor has entered the final year of his contract, the Austrian club may be open to selling him.
5. Mauro Icardi
The Argentina striker has established his reputation as a prolific goal-scorer throughout his career in Europe. In his most recent spell with Galatasaray, he netted 23 goals in 26 appearances.
Despite a difficult time at parent club Paris Saint-Germain, largely due to injuries, Icardi consistently impressed as the main striker for Inter Milan before his move to France in 2019.
There have been rumours of a potential return to Italy, with Roma among the clubs offered the opportunity to sign the striker. PSG are prepared to sell Icardi, as he has just one year remaining on his contract.
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However, Man United could also present him with an opportunity in the Premier League, and previous reports have indicated that a fee of less than £20 million may be sufficient to secure his services.
