Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting (l) is challenged by António Silva of SL Benfica at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. (Photo by Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs − including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United − are expected to be in the market for a new striker.
Here, we looks at 10 top forwards who could be on the move before next season, how many goals they have scored and where they might end up.
Club: Sporting CP Age: 26 Goal record in 2024-25: 54 goals in 52 games What we know: Arsenal and Manchester United have both shown interest
The great goal-machine of Portugal has scored at an absurd rate since moving to Sporting from Coventry in the summer of 2023. Gyokeres is powerful, quick and deadly in the penalty box. It is no surprise, then, that Arsenal are strongly considering a move. The big question is whether he will be as effective in the Premier League as he has been in the far weaker Portuguese division. It is thought that he would cost around £60m to £70m.
Club: RB Leipzig Age: 21 Goal record in 2024-25: 21 goals in 45 games What we know: Chelsea and Arsenal are both long-term admirers
Sesko is a young player with every attribute required to be one of the world’s best forwards. He is tall, quick, two-footed, excellent in the air and capable of scoring from distance. He is still raw, though, and is far from the finished article. Arsenal wanted to sign him last summer and were regarded as front-runners to do so. Will they move for him again? Reports in Germany say he will cost around £70m.
Club: Wolves Age: 25 Goal record in 2024-25: 17 goals in 36 games What we know: Manchester United are expected to sign him this summer
Cunha has enjoyed a spectacular season at Wolves, in which he has demonstrated his playmaking abilities as well as a knack for scoring special goals. There are questions to be asked about his attitude − he missed six matches through suspension this season − but United are evidently not too concerned about that. They are hoping to pay his £62.5m release clause in instalments.
Club: Newcastle United Age: 25 Goal record in 2024-25: 27 goals in 41 games What we know: Arsenal and Liverpool would both love to have Isak
The best centre-forward in the Premier League is expected to stay at Newcastle United, especially now they have guaranteed Champions League football for next season, but that might not stop an interested club from attempting to test the waters. A move is regarded as highly unlikely, especially as it would take significantly more than £100m to even tempt Newcastle.
Liam Delap
Club: Ipswich Town Age: 22 Goals scored in 2024-25: 12 goals in 40 games What we know: Everton, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United all want him
Delap’s £30m release clause could represent one of the bargains of the summer after an impressive campaign at Ipswich. In a struggling team, Delap routinely demonstrated his physicality and energy. An old-school centre-forward, he would improve most teams in the Premier League.
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt Age: 22 Goals scored in 2024-25: 22 goals in 48 games What we know: Ekitike has been watched by Liverpool and Chelsea − but will be expensive
There are expectations in Germany that Frankfurt could demand around £80m for Ekitike, a France Under-21 international. This could deter potential suitors in the Premier League, although there is no doubt that Ekitike is a player of huge talent. A quick and skilful forward, he is good in the air and capable of dribbling past opponents.
Club: Galatasaray (on loan from Napoli) Age: 26 Goals scored in 2024-25: 36 goals in 40 games What we know: Chelsea have long admired Osimhen but Saudi Arabia could be calling
In terms of sheer athleticism and finishing ability, Osimhen might just be the best striker on the market this summer. He fell out with Napoli last summer but his achievements there − including leading the team to the league title in 2022-23 − underlined his goal-scoring ability in a top European league.
Club: Brentford Age: 25 Goals scored in 2024-25: 20 goals in 42 games What we know: Manchester United and Newcastle United both want Mbeumo this summer
Perhaps more of a wide player than a centre-forward, Mbeumo is still one of the finest attacking players in the Premier League. He has improved with each season at Brentford, to the point where he struck a remarkable 20 league goals this season. Mbeumo works hard, has a powerful left foot and is deadly from the penalty spot. But will anyone offer a fee that could convince Brentford to sell?
Club: Aston Villa Age: 29 Goals scored in 2024-25: 17 goals in 54 games What we know: Arsenal tried to sign Watkins in January
Could Aston Villa’s failure to qualify for the Champions League open the door for an interested club to snatch Watkins away? Arsenal had a look in January, but that move was scuppered by Villa instead selling Jhon Durán to Saudi Arabia. Watkins is a Premier League-proven goal-scorer but his age (he turns 30 in December) might count against him.
Club: Liverpool Age: 25 Goals scored in 2024-25: 7 goals in 47 appearances What we know: Núñez’s Liverpool career is expected to come to an end this summer
Núñez has failed to meet expectations at Liverpool and ongoing questions over his attitude will not help them to generate interest in the Uruguayan this summer. He remains a thrilling forward when on form, though, and there are many teams who would benefit from his speed and unpredictability in attack.