This is the summer for signing a new striker, with that certainly true of those at Manchester United, having been forced to witness Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund score just seven Premier League goals between them in 2024/25.
Having splashed out over £100m on that youthful pairing across the last two summers, the Red Devils are once again ready to dip into the market for a centre-forward. The problem is, so is everyone else.
Indeed, reports have suggested that Liverpool are seeking to secure a replacement for the potentially departing Darwin Nunez, while Arsenal’s lengthy bid for a proper number nine could also come to an end, amid links to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have already edged out Ruben Amorim and co for the capture of Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, with the Blues also among those in the mix for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike – now that’s just getting greedy.
Unsurprisingly, those top-flight rivals appear to be shopping in the same pool, with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres no doubt an in-demand target, amid his expected exit from the Lisbon outfit.
A reunion with Amorim in Manchester has been more than mooted, but the prolific Swede certainly isn’t the only target under consideration.
Latest on Man Utd's striker search
With it already reported that Gyokeres is open to making a move to Old Trafford, despite the lack of Champions League football on offer, further reports outlined that a bid is in the works for the £60m man.
The now 27-year-old previously scored 66 goals in just 68 games during Amorim’s spell in charge of the Primeira Liga outfit, with the 6 foot 2 ace unsurprisingly earmarked as a standout target to ease United’s goalscoring woes.
That said, alternatives are also under consideration, with Italian outlet Tuttosport suggesting that the Red Devils could be ready to battle the Gunners for the signing of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
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Indeed, the belief is that the Nigerian sensation has turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi side Al Hilal, amid the hope of securing a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs instead.
The report goes as far as to suggest that it is the interest of both United and Arsenal that led to the 26-year-old snubbing a move to the Middle East, albeit with it yet to be seen whether the pair will firm up their apparent interest.
If either side does wish to prise the former Lille man from Naples, following his year-long loan spell at Galatasaray, then previous reports have indicated that he could be available for a fee of around €75m (£63m).
Why Osimhen could be the next Ronaldo
The wait for a centre-forward solution continues at Old Trafford, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s haul of 18 league goals still ranking as the joint-best top-flight return for the club in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Season
Player
Goals
2024/25*
Bruno Fernandes & Amad
8
2023/24
Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund
10
2022/23
Marcus Rashford
17
2021/22
Cristiano Ronaldo
18
2020/21
Bruno Fernandes
18
2019/20
Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial
17
2018/19
Paul Pogba
13
2017/18
Romelu Lukaku
16
2016/17
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
17
2015/16
Anthony Martial
11
2014/15
Wayne Rooney
12
2013/14
Wayne Rooney
17
2012/13
Robin van Persie
26
Ronaldo, of course, endured an ultimately acrimonious exit from the Red Devils in the end, albeit while still clinging on to the limelight three years later, following his crucial equaliser in Portugal’s eventual Nations League final triumph over Spain on Sunday night.
Ever the man for the big occasion, the 40-year-old is THE goalscorer of this or even any era, with his latest effort taking him up to 938 career goals in total.
Osimhen, meanwhile, may currently rest on ‘just’ 151 club career goals – plus 26 for his country – although that has come from only 264 games, having been a hit in Belgium, France, Italy and Turkey thus far.
Indeed, the centre-forward “monster – as described by analyst Ben Mattinson – ended 2024/25 with 37 goals to his name in all competitions for Galatasaray, with 26 of those coming in the Turkish Super Lig.
Previously a central figure in Napoli’s 2022/23 Scudetto charge, following his 26-goal Serie A haul, Osimhen, in a similar vein to the great Ronaldo, appears to have that knack for being able to shine no matter the club, country or arena.
It is for that reason that former Besiktas forward Nihat Kahveci has described him as being “like Cristiano Ronaldo”, while Osimhen also boasts a remarkable heading ability, akin to his Al Nassr counterpart, having been hailed as a “beast in the air” by Mattinson.
A man who also likes to steal the limelight – like ‘CR7’ – Osimhen is also a true “goal poacher” too, as hailed by compatriot Segun Odegbami, with such instincts seemingly lacking from Hojland and the current crop.
As already stated, the battle is on across the Premier League and Europe for a new centre-forward. Osimhen, unsurprisingly, will have a long list of suitors – now is the time for United to pounce.
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