The striker market is one of the key areas of interest for Premier League sides ahead of the summer transfer window.
Several of the biggest clubs in the English top flight want a new striker — including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Liverpool might also want to bring in a new No 9 — although they are not just targeting an elite player in that position.
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On Sunday, The Athletic’s David Ornstein and James McNicholas reported Arsenal were developing a strong interest in Viktor Gyokeres. They have done work on other strikers too, while Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Alexander Isak.
So what knock-on impact does Arsenal’s interest in Gyokeres have on the rest of the market? Is he their only option? Who will other teams go for? And who are the strikers to keep an eye on in the coming window?
The Athletic’s experts — James McNicholas, Laurie Whitwell, Simon Johnson, James Pearce and Sebastian Stafford-Bloor — have taken a look below.
Why is Gyokeres the subject of Arsenal’s interest?
Arsenal’s need for a centre-forward is well-known — and, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus currently sidelined through injury — glaringly obvious. They have followed a number of potential targets over the past 18 months, most recently engaging with Aston Villa in talks for Ollie Watkins in January.
Their interest in Gyokeres has, until now, been somewhat lukewarm. With the arrival of Andrea Berta as sporting director, however, that appears set to change. Berta is a longstanding admirer of Gyokeres and it is expected the 26-year-old Sweden international will figure prominently among the names Arsenal consider this summer.
James McNicholas
What about Sesko or Isak?
There is no doubt about Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice for the centre-forward position: he wants Alexander Isak. There is however an acceptance at Arsenal that reaching a deal with a reluctant Newcastle United may prove impossible.
Arteta is a fan of Isak (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
Sesko, 21, is another name Arsenal are strongly considering. They have followed his development closely and were interested last summer, until the Slovenian international decided to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig. Arsenal have continued to watch his progress, with a view to possibly reigniting their interest this summer, although there are reservations about his readiness to make an immediate impact in the Premier League.
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With Berta now installed alongside Arteta, Arsenal’s key decision-makers must try to find a consensus on a potential new striker.
James McNicholas
What is Manchester United’s stance given their interest in Gyokeres?
The link between Gyokeres and United is clear given Ruben Amorim’s position as head coach at Old Trafford. Amorim got Gyokeres firing in Portugal with a system that suits him.
But talk of a reunion has been tepid at United because of the cost it would take to get him from Sporting CP and then pay commensurate wages. Gyokeres is 27 in June, and United might look to go a shade younger. Other options, such as Liam Delap, are already being explored.
Laurie Whitwell
Who might they go for instead?
As mentioned, Delap, who turned 22 in February, holds an appeal for United because of his age and the prospect of recruiting him from Ipswich Town in the event of their relegation. Technical director Jason Wilcox is a fan, having worked with Delap at Manchester City’s academy, and Delap’s record of 10 goals and two assists in the Premier League this season has strengthened his profile.
Sesko fits their profile and United have tracked him since 2018. They held talks for him in 2022, but did not feel he was ready for a starring role at Old Trafford, and then tried again last year only for him to sign a new contract.
United’s tight budget is a major factor in any options, including Victor Osimhen, whose wages would be an obstacle. Some kind of swap deal might make that deal more financially palatable, with Napoli holding an interest in Alejandro Garnacho.
Laurie Whitwell
And what about Sesko? Are Chelsea an option?
Yes. Chelsea first became interested in Sesko two years ago and have been following his progress closely ever since.
While he was on their radar in 2023, Chelsea decided he was still a bit too raw and he already had an agreement in place to join RB Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg anyway.
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Sesko then showed his commitment to RB Leipzig, and desire to continue his development in the Bundesliga, by signing a new contract last June. Chelsea went on to consider other names such as Samu Omorodion, Osimhen and Jhon Duran but the only striker who joined was teenager Marc Guiu from Barcelona for €6million.
Recruiting a centre forward is regarded as a key part of their transfer plans for the summer and the club have been working on a wishlist of possible names for months.
Chelsea believe they will have the funds available to make a major acquisition in this department, especially as they plan to sell several players who are no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge.
Simon Johnson
Sesko is an option for Chelsea (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Is he their priority this summer?
Sesko is certainly one of the main options. The Slovenia international turns 22 in May so certainly fits right into the age bracket (18-25) Chelsea prefer to recruit in.
But he is not the only centre forward they are considering. For example, Chelsea also admire 22-year-old striker Delap. He has impressed in his first full Premier League season in a struggling side.
Delap also worked under current Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca and co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields while at Manchester City’s academy.
Simon Johnson
Liverpool would have to pay a lot for Isak, is that feasible?
It depends on the numbers involved. The club’s senior recruitment figures certainly admire Isak but it’s highly unlikely that Liverpool would agree to pay £150m for him.
Liverpool recently announced a £57m pre-tax loss for 2023-24 and although their financial situation is now much healthier following their return to the Champions League, they are expected to spread their resources around this summer rather than focus on one marquee signing.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid and they are still awaiting clarity over the futures of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who are nearing the end of their current contracts. With reinforcements needed in other departments, Liverpool aren’t just targeting an elite No 9.
James Pearce
Would they have to move other players on to do that?
Yes, to make room in Arne Slot’s squad and generate funds. The most likely attacker to depart this summer is Darwin Nunez.
There was interest in the Uruguay international from the Saudi Pro League in January but Liverpool wouldn’t entertain a sale because they were determined to keep the squad together as they closed in on Premier League title glory.
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With Nunez down the pecking order at Anfield, a move might suit all parties come the summer. If they could get between £60m-£70m from Saudi Arabia for the former Benfica man that would be a significant windfall to put towards buying a replacement.
James Pearce
Who are the other strikers to keep an eye on this summer?
Lois Openda, who has played with Sesko for the past two years in Leipzig, might get a move. At 25, Openda is older and his stock is not as high — he is not as rounded as Sesko nor as formidably built. His 2024-25 season — featuring eight goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances — highlights a less-than-prolific year.
Nevertheless, his skill, speed, strength on the ball and goalscoring instinct will surely attract plenty of clubs, even if his price tag — around €80m — will be a deterrent.
Mainz’s Jonathan Burkardt (15 goals) should be on plenty of radars. Burkardt is more of a pressing forward and a real asset off the ball, but the quality of his finishing has taken him all the way to the German national team. He is a counter-puncher. Mainz subsist on speed and transition, meaning that it’s difficult to know how he might cope against a deep block, or within a side that plays at a slower pace.
Burkardt should be on plenty of radars (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Nick Woltemade (nine goals) from Stuttgart is lots of fun. At first glance, the 23-year-old’s size can make him seem clumsy, but while there is plenty of force to his game, there’s craft, too. He is technical and can beat defenders one-on-one, but he’s thoughtful as well and creative in what he does with the ball. Think of the way a young Harry Kane played under Mauricio Pochettino between 2014 and 2016; Woltemade may not be headed for the same level, but he is not dissimilar.
And there’s Hugo Ekitike (13 goals) from Eintracht Frankfurt too. Ekitike is outrageously gifted and an absolute menace in an Eintracht team that likes to break forward at speed and put their attacking players into space.
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He has a wonderful first touch — see the sequence of play that forced Stuttgart’s Ameen Al-Dakhil into a professional foul on Saturday night — and his feet are quick enough to manufacture shooting angles under almost any circumstances. A brilliant player in the making and, as a reflection of that, he will be going nowhere for anything less than €80m this summer. So, one for the Champions League sides perhaps.
The other one worth highlighting is a bit of a wildcard: Wolfsburg’s Mohamed Amoura.
Amoura is on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise, but that will become permanent this summer and he may well move again. He has been outstanding in his first season in Germany. Small, diminutive, but dynamic and absolutely brilliant at times — a goal and a creative threat, albeit probably more as a wide forward than a traditional No 9.
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
Are any of those ready for a Premier League breakout?
An interesting question, because they are all such different players — and you could make a case for any of them being a success in the right situation.
In the short term, Openda would probably be the safest bet and the player most likely to score goals immediately.
His 2024-25 has not been good, but the same is true for plenty of other Leipzig players and given that the club have just dismissed head coach Marco Rose, perhaps that poor form can be partially excused.
Over the medium or longer term, though, Eikitike is the most talented player on the list and — with the opportunity to acclimatise over a season or two — would produce a higher dividend and become more valuable.
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
(Top photo: Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images)
