Top 5 strikers on the market and their ideal destinations

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer
Aubameyang was the Bundesliga's top goalscorer last season

The transfer window is in full swing and after a long time there is suddenly an abundance of strikers on the market. Goalscorers always command a high transfer fee and the more established the striker, the higher his cost.

This summer has already seen a number of strikers make big money moves such as Romelu Lukaku (£75m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£53m). With more than a month to go before the window slams shut, we could see many more.

But which clubs should they ideally move to?


1) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

One of the most underrated strikers on the market, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rang a few alarm bells when he was linked with a move to the Chinese Super League for over £70m. Arguably the fastest striker in Europe at the moment, he is a talent playing at his peak and would be wasted in a league like the CSL.

At 28, Aubameyang is in his prime. And he proved it by winning the Kicker Torjägerkanone (Bundesliga's version of the Golden Boot) after netting 31 goals in as many starts for Borussia Dortmund last season. However, the team finished third and never looked like contenders with newly-promoted side RB Leipzig even leapfrogging them.

Aubameyang is a deadly counter-attacking specialist who used his pace and impeccable finishing to great effect in Germany. He would be well suited to a club such as Real Madrid.

With Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo on either side of him, Zidane would have a more mobile striker who is quicker than Karim Benzema. The French striker played 29 games last season and only scored 11 goals in the league. Aubameyang scored more in the Champions League too even though Real went all the way to the final.

A move to Real has also been his childhood dream, so why not?

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2) Diego Costa

Diego Costa transfer
Costa seems hell-bent on returning to Atletico, so why not?

It almost seems bizarre that Chelsea would sell a striker who helped them win two Premier League titles in the last three years. But such is the situation they find themselves in following a number of off-field shenanigans involving the Brazilian-born Spanish striker.

As much as he looks like he's in the twilight of his career (cue favourite Costa age joke here), he is only 28. But his secret liaisons with Atletico Madrid last summer followed by the case of having his head turned by a Chinese Super League club saw Antonio Conte have a tough time keeping him focused.

Eventually, a text message from the Italian manager has effectively left Costa without a club even though he still has a Chelsea contract. But it does look like he has his heart set on a return to Atletico Madrid and a reunion with former manager Diego Simeone even if the Rojiblancos cannot register him until January.

Also read: Diego Costa - The villain who plays victim

Nevertheless, Simeone was the man who got the best out of him in their league-winning season and even Antoine Griezmann has not hit those highs yet.

The two could form a lethal pair but that would have to wait till the second half of the season when the transfer ban is lifted.

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3) Andrea Belotti

Andrea Belotti transfer
Belotti had his breakthrough season in Serie A in 2016/17

Serie A looked on in wonder as a young striker tore open defences with his power, aerial superiority and clinical finishing. While fans outside Europe took a fleeting interest in Torino because of Joe Hart's loan move, they continued following the club's progress because of a 23-year-old striker.

Andrea Belotti made a statement last season: Italian strikers could thrive once again in Serie A. Not since the hey days of Francesco Totti, Luca Toni and Antonio Di Natale has an Italian striker taken the league by storm.

Belotti finished with 26 goals and 7 assists in the league playing in his preferred no.9 role. So which club is he best suited to? Chelsea.

Antonio Conte desperately needs a striker and, while Sergio Aguero has been linked with a switch, Belotti would prove to be a masterstroke thanks to his age and potential.

Aguero is 29. Belotti has a good six years on him and also contributes to the cause with a high defensive work rate that is a manager's dream. Not to mention his linkup play which would bring out the best in the wide forwards in Conte's 3-4-3 formation.

Could he survive the physicality of the Premier League? Definitely. Nobody else scored more headed goals even though he's barely six feet tall!

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4) Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata transfer
Morata looks set to leave Real Madrid this summer

Dyeing his hair red was probably a bad idea as Manchester United's deal for Alvaro Morata fell through. The Spaniard is back to his bald look now and still on the lookout for a club after having decided that Real Madrid is not the place for him to play regularly.

In what is a World Cup year, clocking as many minutes as possible becomes the need of the hour with Morata competing with the likes of Diego Costa to lead the line at the World Cup.

Jose Mourinho and United are out of the question after the capture of Lukaku while there has been no real interest from Conte at Chelsea. However, a new project is taking shape in a league he is familiar with.

AC Milan have made public their interest in the 24-year-old and now that other top clubs are put of the picture, the Rossoneri could make this deal happen. With Carlos Bacca reportedly on the move this summer, Milan need a top quality striker and Morata fits the bill.

Vincenzo Montella has already signed Fabio Borini but Morata would clearly be a significant upgrade and a €70m bid could get the ball rolling. He would be assured of leading the line and could form the core of a side that has already got on board Leonardo Bonucci, Lucas Biglia, Franck Kessie and Hakan Calhanoglu.

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5) Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero transfer
Aguero may not have a future at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola

If things go his way, Sergio Aguero could end up being Manchester City's all-time highest goalscorer in 2017/18 (he's only eight goals shy of the record). But the harsh reality is that he may not have a future at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola.

Much has been written about why the Catalan manager prefers Gabriel Jesus up front - a more mobile and versatile forward who is not a traditional no.9 in the mould of Aguero. If not for his injury, Aguero would not have returned to the starting lineup.

So where could Aguero go? A straight swap for Alexis Sanchez was mooted while a move to Chelsea was also on the cards.

Also read: Pros and cons of an Arsenal-Manchester City swap deal for Alexis Sanchez and Sergio Aguero

However, Aguero could thrive at a club such as Paris Saint-Germain. The club reportedly renewed their interest in Alexis Sanchez but Arsene Wenger is adamant that the Chilean will not be sold.

That leaves Aguero as the other option they could pursue. While Edinson Cavani is a capable striker, his propensity to miss a number of chances has hurt the Ligue 1 club in the league and in Europe.

Aguero, on the other hand, has proved to be capable striker in the Premier League and in the Champions League. PSG are also one of few clubs who can afford to pay similar wages, if not more.

With Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler on either side, he will never be starved of chances and not many get into scoring positions and convert chances as well as he does.

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