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The position of center-forward has always been the most expensive position in the transfer window. It is for an obvious reason, strikers bring goals and goals win matches. Over the last few decades, most clubs splashed incredible amount of cash in signing a player that can play at the number nine position. There have been numerous examples of record-breaking football transfer at this position. Romelu Lukaku, Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez are in the list of expensive striker signings in recent times.
Even this colossal spending can’t guarantee success. Romelu Lukaku is still finding it difficult to settle at Manchester United. Higuain failed to replicate his Napoli’s goalscoring form with Juventus. Being surplus to the requirements for the Old Lady, he was loaned out to AC Milan in 2018.
On the contrary, there are some instances of absolute bargain transfers as well. Arguably the best striker in the Premier League history, Thierry Henry was bought by the Gunners for £11 million. The French striker later went on to score more than 250 goals for the North London based football club. Considering the fact that Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona for €24 million after eight years of productive service, the deal can be regarded as an absolute steal.
The most recent example in the similar thread is Mohammad Salah. When Liverpool signed the Egyptian for a transfer fee of €42 million from Roma, many pundits doubted the investment done on a player who was once regarded as a Premier League failure (with Chelsea). But Salah silenced his critics in his maiden season with the reds by winning Premier League golden boot award. As a result of his 45 goals in 56 matches, the market value of Salah has tripled in the last couple of years to €150 million now.
As of today, many top European football clubs are in search of a striker for various reasons. For example, due to below-par performances of Morata and Giroud, Sarri has to play Hazard at the tip of attack for Chelsea.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are also looking at replacements for their aging Benzema and Suarez respectively. With January transfer window now open let us look at top 10 affordable (market value less than €40 million) striking options that any football club can consider buying in order to bolster their attacking weaponry.
#10 Andre Silva (152 minutes per goal involvement this season)
The ace from Portugal is one of the hottest properties in football transfer market right now. Having scored nine goals and provided two assists for Sevilla, the Portuguese is directly involved in a goal in his every 152 minutes on the pitch.
The AC Milan asset is currently on loan at Sevilla with the Spanish club having the option to buy him at the end of the season. The technical attributes shown by him at the junior level promoted him as the successor to Cristiano Ronaldo by many people.
Silva is expected to be available for an estimated market value of €35-40 million. It is no surprise why Sevilla is heading towards a permanent deal for him with interests from clubs like Barcelona.
#9 Raul Jimenez (148 minutes per goal involvement this season)
Since his arrival in the Premier League for Wolverhampton Wanderers (on loan from Benfica), the man from Mexico has taken the league with a storm. With his perfect blend of height, strength, speed, awareness and poaching abilities, Raul is often compared to Drogba. He is proving to be one of the most valuable recruitments done by the Wolves manager, Nuno.
Raul is directly involved in a staggering 48% of the total goals scored by the west midlands club. The productivity shown by him for a promoted club in the premier league has excited fans who are wishing to see him playing for a top club in Europe.
His goal involvement per 148 minutes will only get better with a more prominent club. Any club can fancy itself signing the 27 years old for a meager transfer fee of around €18 million.
#8 Andrej Kramaric (109 minutes per goal involvement this season)
Kramaric, who was part of Croatia in a brilliant World Cup campaign last year, is one of the most prolific strikers in Bundesliga right now. His work rate has earned him 11 goals and three assists this season already for Hoffenheim.
The ex-Leicester man is expert in running behind the defenses and is extremely suited for teams who like to play on the break. With a market value of €35 million, the 27 years old forward is in his golden age. As his current boss, Julian Nagelsmann is set to leave the club at the end of the season; it won’t be a surprise if he also departs for a bigger club.
#7 Maximiliano Gomez (106 minutes per goal involvement this season)
With eight goals and four assists for Celta Vigo in the first half of La Liga this season, Maximiliano Gomez has already turned several heads. He banged a goal and an assist in a single match against Atletico Madrid earlier this season, helping Celta to register a famous 2-0 victory against reigning Europa League champions.
In his time with Celta Vigo till now, Gomez has contributed a total of 26 goals and nine assists in 55 appearances. The 22 years old talented Uruguayan has the market value of €35 million which can’t be considered as exaggerated by any means.
#6 Arkadiusz Milik (106 minutes per goal involvement this season)
Despite an impressive 106 minutes per goal involvement this season, Milik is often used as a reserve for the attacking Napoli trio of Mertens, Insigne, and Callejon. The Polish striker has contributed a sum of 10 goals and one assist this season.
The highly versatile striker can play as second striker and winger as well. The 24-year-old is experiencing a lack of first team football which can lead to his departure from Naples anytime soon. The eye-watering market value of €25 Million can attract several European football clubs in dire need of a striker.
#5 Alassane Plea (91 minutes per goal involvement this season)
After impressing scouts at Nice, Alassane Plea was grabbed by Monchengladbach earlier this season. The former Spurs, West Ham, and Newcastle target took no time in delivering for his new German club. The French striker has already netted 12 goals and registered three assists this season.
His 91 minutes per goal involvement rate and a cheaper market value of €38 Million can excite many football clubs. Although he has recently signed for the Bundesliga club so the probability of a January transfer is too unlikely to happen.
#4 Kasper Dolberg (90 minutes per goal involvement this season)
Denis Bergkamp, Johan Cruyff, Frank de Boer, Rijkaard are just a few of many to mention from the illustrious Ajax academy. Another Ajax academy graduate, Kasper Dolberg is the latest sensation in the football transfer market. The 21 years Old Danish international has eight goals and four assists this season.
His impressive show in UEFA Champions League has drawn the attention of several European football heavyweights. Dolberg has 90 minutes per goal involvement rate this season which is surprisingly better than Luis Suarez.
The tender age, a market value of €17 Million and experience European football can see Ajax facing several bids for Dolberg this time around.
#3 Krzysztof Piatek (89 minutes per goal involvement this season)
Krzysztof Piatek’s 19 goals in 21 appearances for Genoa this season have earned him the name of ‘Goal Machine’. The Polish striker has already set the transfer market on red alert with many noticeable forces in football already targeting him.
His 13 league goals tally is only bettered by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo who has netted one more than the Poland international. The current market value of €15 Million is rising exponentially with the time. It is high time for the interested clubs before his asking price extends beyond their spending capacities.
#2 Sabestian Haller (88 minutes per goal involvement this season)
Sabestian Haller of Eintracht Frankfurt has scored 12 goals and supplied 11 assists this season. With 88 minutes per goal involvement rate, the French striker is one of the most valuable strikers in Bundesliga.
Along with Jovic and Rebic, Haller has transformed Frankfurt into a formidable force in Germany and Europe. The most fascinating fact about Hellar is the fact that he is the player with most playing minutes in this list (2,013 playing minutes this season). Any football club has to invest an estimated sum of €35 Million to receive the services of the 24-year-old attacker.
#1 Luka Jovic (65 minutes per goal involvement this season)
On loan from Benfica, Luka Jovic came into limelight when he scored five goals in one match for Frankfurt against Dusseldorf in October this season. He was bought as a developing subordinate of Haller but he instantaneously hit the ground running when given a chance in the first team.
He is the current Bundesliga top scorer with 12 goals among the famous company of Paco Alcacer, Reus, Timo Werner, and Lewandowski. His 17 goals and four assists in 23 appearances in all competitions for Frankfurt earned him the astonishing 65 minutes per goal involvement rate. The impact of his performances in Germany also raised his market value from €2 million on 1 July 2017 to €40 Million on 18 December 2018.
