The transformation in personnel over the last 12 months at Old Trafford has been just a little short of extraordinary. Louis van Gaal has spent more than £200m on transforming Manchester United back into a side able to challenge for the Premier League, but will have undermined all his hard work if they enter the new campaign without a replacement of equal stature to the departing Robin van Persie.
The problem facing Van Gaal is his search for a new world-class striker is already limited by a pool size that is significantly drained. Van Persie may not have been the force he was during his first season at the club, but he still departs the Premier League as the competition’s 10th highest goalscorer of all time (144).
Supply and demand has also meant that those that remain in the running are not going to come cheap. The signs of this are already emerging with Aston Villa holding out for Christian Benteke’s £32.5m release clause and Napoli refusing to sell Gonzalo Higuain for anything less than his £66.8m valuation.
Van Gaal has already lavished nearly £70m on Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger this summer but they could all stand to represent nothing come their first game of the season when they entertain a Spurs outfit, with just Wayne Rooney and 19-year-old James Wilson as United’s out-and-out strikers.
Last season saw Van Gaal test Di Maria in a frontline position and he has even hinted that Depay could have a part to play up front next season, but the Dutchman would not have let Van Persie go without the full knowledge of landing a replacement before the start of the Premier League.
So who are the contenders to fill the boots of the departing Dutch international?
Robert Lewandowski
The Poland international has previously drawn comparisons to Van Persie and Van Gaal may see the Bayern Munich striker as the ideal replacement. The 26-year-old reportedly snubbed any United interest when signing for Bayern last summer, but things haven’t always gone to plan under Pep Guardiola since and any speculation linking him with a move away has not been helped by the player’s agent, who claims an offer of £35m may be enough to force Bayern’s hand.
Considering today’s economic climate that has just seen a 20-year-old prospect sold for nearly £50m, Lewandowski could represent excellent business for United. When you consider only Cristiano Ronaldo (39) and Lionel Messi (26) have scored more goals in the Champions League over the last three years than the technically-gifted Polish striker (22), his a signature worth pursuing.
However, by already taking Schweinsteiger off Bayern’s hands, United may have closed the door on this signing. Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was adamant that the club would not be selling any more players to United in the aftermath of Schweinsteiger’s departure and that could force Van Gaal to look elsewhere even if they are willing to mount a substantial offer.
Edinson Cavani
Given Paris Saint Germain’s interest in Angel Di Maria, this is the deal that could prove to be most likely for United. Reports from Paris claim that Laurent Blanc’s side have already agreed terms with Di Maria and must now barter a deal with United to prize away Britain’s most expensive footballer of all time. The key to that deal could be Edinson Cavani, who would act as a makeweight for United.
The Uruguay international could thrive as the main man at a club of United’s status, having been Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s understudy since joining the Parisian outfit in 2013. Despite playing second fiddle to the big Swede, Cavani has still managed an impressive goal return in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
The 28-year-old has notched 34 goals in France’s top-flight and 10 goals for PSG in the Champions League. Although has not had the best of times against English opposition, this could be a move that works for him and finally sees him back playing through the middle.
On the other hand, however, having waited patiently the last few years, Cavani may be eyeing the same role at PSG, with Ibrahimovic also suggested to be angling a way out of the club and back to Milan.
Christian Benteke
United have been linked with a move for Christian Benteke at various points this summer and their interest has reportedly returned with Liverpool stalling over the player’s £32.5m release clause.
The Belgium international finished last season in fine form scoring 10 goals in the last 13 games of the Premier League, igniting a wave of interest from a number of Premier League clubs. Any concerns over his fitness also seem to have passed following such a breathtaking patch of form, but the sticking point appears to be the fee Villa are holding out for.
The Villa forward’s ability in the air could prove to be a deadly asset for a side like United who are renowned for getting the ball out into the channels and then into the box. Despite appearing to have parted ways with that style last season, only three sides averaged more crosses per game than Van Gaal’s (24).
Unlike the other candidates, Benteke also benefits from Premier League experience. Something that could be key to any deal, with Van Gaal looking to hit the ground running next season after a disappointing start to his first season in charge at Old Trafford.
Karim Benzema
At the start of the summer, United were looking to include Karim Benzema in any deal that would see David de Gea go the other way. The Red Devils were also looking to latch onto any vulnerabilities following their managerial upheaval and news that Florentino Perez was looking to make impacting changes on the Madrid squad.
Once more, United have previously been interested in the France international’s services but missed out when Real Madrid signed him in 2009. With a shortage of alternatives themselves in striking positions, however, Los Blancos would likely be loath to losing the Frenchman.
The 27-year-old has come in for criticism at times during his stint in the Spanish capital but continues to overcome any setbacks to play a crucial role in the shadows of some of Madrid’s megastars. Benzema has registered double figures in La Liga in each of the last 5 seasons after all and supplemented 15 goals with a further 10 assists last time out.
