The business end of the season is fast approaching across Europe with certain leagues almost decided as to who will win the title. The domestic and European cups are closer to the final knockout stages as well. So, for clubs having a good season and also for the ones who are not the planning will already be underway on how to bolster their team in the summer before the start of next season.
Out of the various types of players, strikers are more often than not the most exciting as well as the most vital proposition for every team. So, it is only natural that the best of the lot are relatively few and even then, they come at a premium. This leads to the scouting clubs focussing on those forwards whose quality deserves a larger audience or those who are looking for a change of scenery due to various reasons.
Here, we take a look at seven strikers whose performances and quality warrant a big money move this summer.
#7 Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette is a name that has been doing circles at top European clubs during every transfer window in the previous few seasons. Currently plying his trade at Lyon in Ligue 1, the 25-year old is quick, agile and definitely knows where the goal is. He is remarkably consistent with 27 goals in the 2014/15 league season, 21 goals in the 2015/16 league season and already has 22 goals in the league this season.
Also read – 5 players from Ligue 1 who could move to the Premier League this summer
Lacazette has already made over 250 appearances for Lyon and has bagged over 100 goals for the French club. He was named the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year for his performances in the 2014/15 league season. Further, he won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship with the France under-19 team and scored the winning goal against Spain in the final as well.
(Video courtesy – ScoutNationHD YouTube Channel)
However, the team around him at Lyon is not at the same level to challenge for the increasingly competitive Ligue 1 title making a summer transfer look very likely and the player himself has expressed interest in wanting to leave in the summer. He is not short of suitors with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham all linked in recent weeks and he will not come for cheap either with transfermarkt.com valuing him at €40 million.
#6 Moussa Dembele
The 2nd French player on the list, Moussa Dembele is the name linked to every top European club throughout this season. He burst into the limelight this season after joining Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic in the summer and has scored a whopping 32 goals in 44 appearances for the Scottish club so far, including 5 goals in Europe, a phenomenal feat for any 20-year old.
The fact that Lionel Messi allegedly wants Barcelona to sign Dembele before signing a new contract, as reported by Diario Gol, shows the talent possessed by the kid.
Also Read – 5 players Lionel Messi wants at Barcelona
Dembele’s finishing ability belies his age and his temperament has already received praise from France legend and Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane who said, “Dembele is one of the most talked about young strikers in Europe at the moment, but it has not surprised me at all as I always saw that. He isn’t just scoring goals; he is scoring big goals, important goals like the one against Rangers. That to me is always the sign of a great player.”
(Video courtesy – ScoutNationHD YouTube Channel)
The only question arises whether he can adapt to significantly tougher leagues given his exploits are in the Scottish Premiership. However, it has not impacted his pursuit by Europe’s top clubs who are willing to pay exorbitant fees for the young striker despite transfermarkt.com valuing him at only €5 million. In fact, Chelsea had €30 million bid rejected on the transfer deadline day in January So, when the summer comes along, one can expect Dembele to make a big money move from Celtic to the European stage.
#5 Alexis Sanchez
The oldest player on the list at 28 years of age, Alexis Sanchez is also the most complete forward on this list. Finally bestowed with leading the line by Arsene Wenger this season, the Chilean forward’s work-rate, pressing, creativity and quality has seen him be involved in 26 league goals this season with 17 goals and nine assists, more than any other player in the league.
However, Arsenal’s continuous failure to challenge for the title and tame performances in the Champions League knockout stages in recent years mean Sanchez is unwilling to extend his contract that is bound to expire in the summer of 2018. With Arsene Wenger set to call it quits as well in the summer, Sanchez is looking for pastures new. The two-time Copa America winner with Chile will not be short of suitors with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain fighting for his signature.
(Video courtesy – IbraAlliance YouTube Channel)
Sanchez’s ability to play on the left-wing apart from the striker role make him a versatile option for any top team and his winning mentality along with his nerves of steel make him a top signing for any club. Further, his sale could help Arsenal provide their new manager with a healthy transfer kitty and while the London club will miss the player, it could help the club in buying an out and out striker, which is a much more pressing need.
On the other hand, Sanchez can move to a club fighting for the top honours consistently and can match his winning mentality.
Also read – Why selling one of Ozil or Sanchez is a logical move for Arsenal
#4 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Another French-born player who chose to represent Gabon in international football, Aubameyang has been one of the hottest strikers in world football for a while now. Blessed with lightning pace (the fastest player on FIFA 17), and a wonderful eye for goal, the striker has become a massive fan favourite at Borussia Dortmund, having arrived towards the end of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at the German club.
Also Read – 5 possible destinations for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The pacy striker has scored 25 and 39 goals respectively in the previous two seasons and currently has 25 goals this season. His goalscoring exploits have seen him become the first Gabon player to win the African Player of the Year in 2015 and he was named Bundesliga Player of the Year 2015-16 ahead of the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller at Bayern Munich.
Aubameyang has already expressed his desire to take on a new challenge at the end of this season and at 27 years of age, it is the right time for one final big move.
(Video courtesy – Bundesliga YouTube Channel)
The Gabon striker’s open expression of interest to play for Real Madrid is well-documented for he has always reiterated that it is his grandfather’s dream to see him play for Spanish powerhouse. This summer could finally help him realise his dream as Madrid look to find an upgrade on Karim Benzema, whose time at the club looks to come to an end.
Further, there is interest from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as well in case Sergio Aguero leaves the club. Valued at €65 million on transfermarkt.com, the Dortmund hitman is all set to make a big money move in the summer.
#3 Kylian Mbappe
It is not often a player at 18 years of age is associated with consistent performances for the first team and is linked to every top club in Europe. And when the player is French, playing on the left-wing for Monaco, the comparisons with Thierry Henry, who followed a similar path before becoming one of the world’s best at Arsenal, are instantaneous. Despite having a long way to go to reaching the elite pedestal, Mbappe already has taken the first steps in that direction.
Also Read – Meet Kylian Mbappe: The Monaco youngster Wenger believes could be the next Thierry Henry
The youngster is a part of the most exciting attacking team on the continent in Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco and has recently become the youngest player at 18 years and 2 months of age to score 10 goals in the French top flight in the last 30 years as per Opta. Blessed with pace, possessing strong dribbling skills and displaying tremendous maturity, Mbappe is arguably the most talented French youngster at the moment.
(Video courtesy – ScoutNationHD YouTube Channel)
Hence, it is only natural for bigger clubs to try prise him away and his versatility to play in both left-wing and striker positions a huge asset. Both the Manchester clubs have been linked with the player and a rejected €40 million bid last summer from Manchester United shows how much more he will cost after his exploits this season.
#2 Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku is without a doubt the best striker on the list in terms of age, natural ability, physical attributes, top-level experience and importantly ready to make a move in the summer. Only one of 5 Premier League players to score 50 goals before turning 23 and already Everton’s leading goalscorer in the Premier League era, Lukaku has played over 300 games in his young career and bagged over 100 goals.
Also read – 5 clubs who should target Romelu Lukaku in the summer
The Belgian is pacy, strong and has a more direct style of play, thereby becoming a defender’s nightmare on his day. He has already equalled his last season’s league tally of 18 goals this season and under Ronald Koeman, his link-up play and work-rate are improving as well. With Everton unable to have a crack at the top 6 in the Premier League, Lukaku is set to depart this summer to a team where his talents can lead to success and he has made clear this season about his desire to play in the Champions League.
(Video courtesy – IbraAlliance YouTube Channel)
Former club Chelsea have always regretted the transfer and with Diego Costa’s future in doubt, the Blues could sanction a return for the big Belgian to Stamford Bridge. While Antonio Conte’s side would be a proper step-up for Lukaku, PSG are reported to be interested as well with their star man Edinson Cavani turning 30 this year. Either way, Lukaku will very likely be playing in the Champions League next season and the only question of where and not when.
#1 Andrea Belotti
The only player on the list with a €100 million release clause for foreign clubs in his contract, Belotti rise to become one of the most coveted strikers in Europe has been swift. Signed from Palermo in 2015, the Italian striker is currently the leading goalscorer in the Italian Serie A with 22 goals ahead of Juventus’ Gonzalo Higuain and Roma’s Edin Dzeko. This has led to a quick rise in the stock of Belotti and he is now one of the hottest strikers on demand this summer.
Initially having started out as a midfielder, his finishing ability coupled with his work-rate make him a striker that can play across the front line and also as a second striker. Nicknamed Il Gallo (The Rooster), Belotti is currently a superstar at Torino but the club does not have the personnel or the resources, despite being in the top half of Serie A, to compete with the likes of Juventus, Roma and Napoli.
(Video courtesy – ScoutNationHD YouTube Channel)
Already Chelsea and Arsenal reportedly bid for him in January with the Blues’ bid to be worth around £60 million. However, Torino are adamant that the release clause should be met and with further interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United, one can expect a major tussle in the summer to acquire the services of the 23-year old forward.
