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Forwards made the news during the 2017 summer transfer window. £100 million fees for a player was paid for the first time in football history as teams went all-in to buy quality forwards.
The transfer of Neymar from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain has changed the face of the transfer market.
Figures from the football finance experts Deloitte showed a total spend of more than £5 billion in Europe’s top 5 leagues and the Premier League, in particular, spent a record £1.4 billion, which is a 23% rise on the previous year.
Forwards like Alvaro Morata, Romelu Lukaku, Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Alexandre Lacazette, and Mo Salah switched clubs last summer.
The 2018 summer transfer window is going to be no different as big teams like Real Madrid, and Chelsea are said to be looking to sign quality forwards this summer.
On that note, let’s take a look at the world-class forwards who could switch clubs in the summer
#5 Karim Benzema
The Frenchman has been a prolific goal scorer for Los Merengues throughout his career. Ever since his move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2009, Benzema has helped Real to 3 UEFA Champions League and 2 La Liga titles. He struck 188 goals in 399 appearances and led their attack successfully for almost a decade.
Benzema’s trophy-laden Real Madrid career might come to an end this summer. The 30-year-old is going through a rough patch at the moment and with the team looking to revamp its attack, he could possibly step away.
Many top Premier League clubs are said to be showing an interest in signing the 30-year-old. According to the Spanish website, Don Balon, Benzema has offers on the table from Arsenal and Liverpool while Manchester City is also said to be showing interest.
#4 Mauro Icardi
The Argentine international became the sixth youngest to score 100 Serie A goals when he scored 4 in a game against Sampdoria, earlier in March. The 25-year-old is playing some sublime football at the moment and clubs across Europe are looking for his signature.
The Inter Milan captain is a physically strong striker, known for his positioning, finishing, aerial prowess, and excellent technique. Ever since his move to Inter in 2013, Icardi has scored 100 goals in 172 appearances and made 24 assists.
He was linked to Real Madrid during the January transfer window and now, according to the Daily Mail, Chelsea is said to have tabled a £55m offer for the Argentine international.
His current form is attracting a lot of attention and Inter Milan will have a big job on their hands in the summer if they want to make him stay.
#3 Antoine Griezmann
The Frenchman is one of the most sought-after forwards in the world right now. Playing for Atletico Madrid in La Liga, Griezmann is going through the best phase of his footballing career.
The 27-year-old was on the verge of a move to Manchester United last summer but decided to stay in Spain, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Atletico Madrid's transfer ban.
In the last four seasons with Atletico, he has scored 106 in 198 appearances and also made 25 assists.
Regarded by many as a "team player", he is capable of playing anywhere in the frontline. Simeone has been deployed him as a no.9, attacking midfielder, or as a winger.
He can offer a lot more than just goals. His intelligent movement, vision, pace, positional awareness, and ability to read the game, make him a huge threat anywhere on the field.
He has been linked with Barcelona all through the season and a move could potentially happen this summer.
#2 Harry Kane
Arguably the best no.9 in the world at the moment, Kane is on the radar of many top European clubs. Tottenham’s inability to compete for trophies and pay the same wages as their rivals may see his departure.
The two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner has been in superb form for Spurs for the last 3 seasons.
In his last 123 Premier League starts, the 24-year-old has scored 99 goals and made 14 assists. Praised a lot for his hold-up play and close control, Kane can score from anywhere in the box.
He possesses that natural ability to score goals and get his shot away very quickly. He is definitely not going to come for cheap as any potential suitors will have to break the bank to sign the Englishman. However, he will guarantee one thing; goals, a lot of them.
#1 Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski has been a prolific goalscorer in Europe for quite some time and regarded by many as one of the best forwards in the world.
With strength, balance, quick feet, intelligent movement and proficiency in the air, he possesses almost all the necessary qualities of a world-class centre-forward.
He has been a long-term target for Real Madrid and according to AS, the La Liga outfit are turning their attention to him after manager Zinedine Zidane gave the deal the green light.
The 29-year-old has been in stunning form for Bayern Munich this season, scoring 28 goals in 28 starts.
In the last two seasons in Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League combined, Lewandowski has scored 77 goals in 80 starts for his club and he could form a scary partnership with Ronaldo if the move materializes.
