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Goals win games, which makes strikers a precious commodity in the game of football.
Finding top quality strikers is no easy task, so it is not surprising to see clubs splurge big money on prolific attackers. World-class strikers are intelligent operators not just capable of scoring goals regularly, but also impacting games with their technical ability, physicality and astute reading of the game.
On that note, here's a look at the five best strikers in the game at the moment:
#5 Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to be an Inter Milan player for too long, as the striker is closing in on a return to Chelsea.
Lukaku has been excellent for Inter Milan since joining the club from Manchester United for a club-record fee of nearly £67 million. Tasked with replacing the prolific Mauro Icardi, Lukaku arguably fared better than the Argentine for the Nerazzurri.
The Belgium international has been Inter Milan's best player since his arrival. In 95 appearances in all competitions for the club, Lukaku has scored 64 goals and provided 16 assists, and was key in Inter Milan winning the Serie A last season.
Inter Milan fans are understandably upset with the potential departure of the 28-year-old, but the club's dire financial situation warrants that Inter Milan sell their most expensive players.
#4 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid are shedding star names on a regular basis of late, but one player they are unlikely to let go of is Karim Benzema.
One of the most underrated players in the world, Benzema has been Real Madrid's best attacker since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Benzema joined Madrid from Lyon in 2009 for £31.5 million as a highly-rated talent, and has evolved into a complete forward, capable of creating and goalscoring.
In 558 appearances in all competitions, the France international has scored 279 goals and provided 143 assists for Madrid. With both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane having left the club this summer, Benzema's importance as a leader will be magnified.
You may also like: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Chelsea pushing for major signing, updates on Lukaku and Kane's futures, and more.
#3 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Arguably the best young striker in the game at the moment, Erling Haaland is already a bonafide superstar who looks set to enjoy an excellent career at the highest level.
A prolific goalscorer, Haaland caught the attention of Europe's top clubs after his performances for Red Bull Salzburg. The Norway international moved to Borussia Dortmund in January 2020 despite heavy interest from Manchester United, and has barely set a foot wrong since joining the Bundesliga giants.
In 60 appearances in all competitions, the 21-year-old has scored 60 goals and provided 15 assists. Haaland is unlikely to remain with Borussia Dortmund for too long, though, with top clubs across Europe desperate to sign him.
#2 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Harry Kane saga rumbles on, with the striker looking to leave Tottenham Hotspur amid interest from Manchester City.
Kane enjoyed arguably his best campaign last season. In 35 Premier League appearances, the England international scored 23 goals and provided 14 assists, finishing the season as the top goalscorer and the highest assist provider.
Nevertheless, Tottenham Hotspur fared pretty poorly, failing to qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League.
Kane has said he wants to get his hands on silverware, so he is looking to leave the club to improve his chances for that. Manchester City, who have already signed Jack Grealish, are keen to sign Kane, and have already had a bid for the striker reportedly rejected by Spurs.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski is getting better with age, and it is evident he still has a lot to offer at the highest level.
One of the best players in the game at the moment, Lewandowski has been a phenomenal player for Bayern Munich. The Poland international joined the club from Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer in 2014, and has made 329 appearances in all competitions, scoring 294 goals and providing 65 assists.
The 32-year-old has won seven Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy with the club. Lewandowski was one of the key players in Bayern Munich's continental treble-winning season in 2019-20. Last season, he broke Gerd Muller's record of most goals (40) in a Bundesliga campaign as Bayern Munich won a record-extending ninth league title.
You may also like: 5 reasons why PSG could still struggle to win the UEFA Champions League (2021-22).
