Striker Search, Gyokeres, Sesko or Osimhen?

Strikers are the most sought-after commodity in this summer's transfer market. Teams in need of a striker must consider many things so as not to experience buyers remorse when the competition begins.

Due to the importance of the goal scorer position, mistakes in purchasing can have fatal consequences. Manchester United experienced this when acquiring Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta in 2023 for 72 million pounds sterling. This is a very high price for a striker who has only scored 14 goals in 62 games in the Premier League. The "Red Devils" are now on the hunt for a new forward to replace the Danish player.

The absence of a striker is said to be one of the reasons for Arsenal's failure to become the league leader at the end of the season for three consecutive seasons. To end the hat-trick of runners-up records, Arsenal is also one of the teams currently eyeing a striker.

Conversely, the presence of a striker has been one of the reasons why Manchester City has been so dominant over the past decade. Following the retirement of Sergio Aguero, they acquired a striker who can be considered even more phenomenal in Erling Haaland.

Although it is possible for a club to become champions without a clinical striker, this has been demonstrated by Liverpool with their success in winning the English Premier League. Liverpool is fortunate because they can score goals from various positions, especially from the right-wing position occupied by Mohamed Salah. This Egyptian forward was the top scorer (29) as well as the highest assist provider (18) last season.

Liverpool actually had high hopes when they brought in Darwin Nunez from Benfica for £85 million in 2022. However, Nunez only scored five goals and spent more time on the bench as Liverpool secured their 20th championship trophy. For this reason, the Reds are also looking for a replacement for the Uruguayan striker, who is now being pursued by Serie A club Napoli.

Chelsea is also one of the teams currently seeking a forward. After competing with MU, the Blues acquired their target striker, young player Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, for a fee of 30 million pounds sterling.

So, who are the strikers still available in this summer transfer market? Here are some of the best strikers currently sought after by top clubs.

The Swedish national team forward, Viktor Gyokeres, is a phenomenal striker playing in the Portuguese League. The 26-year-old player has dominated the domestic competition and helped Sporting CP secure the league title last season. He has scored 66 goals in 68 games in the league. Last season, he scored 39 goals from 33 games.

Given the record, it is no surprise that a number of top European clubs are eyeing him. The club most often mentioned is Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's squad needs a sharp spearhead so that they do not return to being runners-up after three consecutive second-place finishes.

The advantage of Gyokeres lies in his speed and strength in dueling with opposing center-backs. Not only in the center, Gyokeres is also dynamic as he often shifts to the flanks before making diagonal runs to find shooting space. When he reaches his top speed, he is very difficult to stop.

Interestingly, for a player with a relatively tall stature (189 centimeters), he rarely scores goals with headers. Certainly, he will need to make adjustments when, for instance, strengthening Arsenal, which is known for its numerous crosses and set pieces.

In addition to Arsenal, the player who once played in the second tier of the English League with Coventry City is also being targeted by Manchester United, who are now coached by Ruben Amorim, former Sporting coach. Given that the player played under Amorim, Old Trafford is a rational choice. However, Sporting is still playing hard to get by by rejecting a number of offers from interested clubs. They want an offer close to the release clause of 100 million euros.

The 21-year-old player has a stature akin to that of a center-back, standing at 195 centimeters tall. Since the age of 18, this striker, who represents the Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, has been a target for top European clubs.

Arsenal is the club reported to be most interested in Sesko this summer. Last summer, he was targeted by four English teams, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Newcastle United, before deciding to stay in Germany.

In addition to aerial duels, Sesko's strength lies in his powerful kicks. His tall stature is very suitable for being the spearhead to meet the delightful crosses in the penalty area.

From a goal-scoring perspective, he is not particularly clinical as he has only scored 27 goals from 64 Bundesliga matches. Last season, he scored just 13 goals from 33 matches. Nevertheless, his physical stature and strength are considered well-suited to the current style of play in the English League.

Leipzig, which is not one of the European giants, realizes that it is only a matter of time before they lose one of their best players. They will release Sesko if someone offers around 70 million euros.

Interestingly, in addition to Sesko, Leipzig is also considering another equally intriguing forward, Lois Openda. The 25-year-old player has scored 33 goals in 67 Bundesliga matches. He could serve as an alternative striker if it proves difficult to bring in his partner, Sesko.

It is almost impossible to buy Alexander Isak in this summer's transfer market. Newcastle United's financial condition is no longer problematic with the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and their success in appearing in the Champions League next season means United do not need to sell their mainstay players.

Nevertheless, the rumors surrounding Isak's departure have not subsided. It is almost certain that all top European clubs are interested in this striker, but the most serious so far is Liverpool. Newcastle even intends to offer Isak a new contract with a higher salary to prevent the player from leaving.

Despite recently breaking the record for the most expensive purchase by an English club with the acquisition of Florian Wirtz (£116 million) from Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool is not done shopping. In addition to Wirtz, the team coached by Arne Slot has secured right-back Jeremie Frimpong and left-back Milos Kerkez.

Center-back Marc Guehi is their next target for replacement, namely Jarrel Quansah, who was sold to Leverkusen. After that, their focus shifted to a striker to replace Nunez, who is being pursued by Napoli.

To acquire this 25-year-old player, Liverpool is expected to break their transfer record once again. Newcastle reportedly will only begin negotiations on the price if there is an offer of 150 million pounds sterling. Even then, it is not certain that Eddie Howe's team will accept it.

Isak is a dream striker due to his technique and prolific goal-scoring ability. He is very dynamic, capable of rotating with wingers, then playing deeper to seek the ball, or dribbling past defenders. During three seasons at Newcastle, he scored 54 goals from 86 Premier League games. Last season was his most prolific, with a record of 23 goals from 33 league games.

Victor Osimhen's success in leading Napoli to the Serie A championship in 2023 has made him the dream striker for other top European clubs. At that time, he was the top scorer with 26 goals.

Chelsea nearly secured the signature of the Nigerian player during the last transfer window. However, Osimhen's excessively high salary demands thwarted his move to Stamford Bridge.

Osimhen has finally ended up at the Turkish club, Galatasaray, on loan, where he scored 26 goals in 30 Turkish League matches. His unyielding prolificacy upon moving leagues has kept him as a sought-after player.

A Saudi Arabian club is also interested in bringing the player, but Osimhen does not want to spend the peak of his career in the Middle East. With his relationship no longer harmonious, Napoli has no choice but to sell the striker once his loan period at Galatasaray concludes.

Napoli could use him as a bargaining chip when negotiating with Liverpool to buy Nunez. The two clubs could exchange players. However, so far it is very rare for two European clubs to exchange players because they prefer cash.

Osimhen's strengths lie in his stature, strength, and explosive speed, in addition to being highly clinical in front of goal. He is also nearly unmatched in aerial duels. Perhaps only Haaland or Kylian Mbappe are better than Osimhen at this moment. (AP/AFP)