Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United are on the hunt for a new striker – but they may have to pay big money to snap up the right man… as five forwards emerge as summer transfer targets
Managers may be the hottest commodity in the Premier League at the moment, but it appears several Premier League clubs are in dire need of a striker and could delve into the market to sign one.
Chelsea are one side that need to strengthen their options at the top. Last summer’s £32million signing of Nicolas Jackson started slowly but finished his 2023/24 season strongly with 17 goals. But it appears he is still adjusting to the pace of the top flight and Chelsea appear keen to sign another striker.
Arsenal might have been able to beat Manchester City and win their first Premier League title since 2004 if they had had a striker at their disposal who could shoot for the full duration of the season. While Kai Havertz shone for Mikel Arteta’s side in the later parts of the season, they too appear keen to replenish their stock of players.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is another club in need of a new striker. Rasmus Hojlund, like Jackson, took time to warm up for the Premier League but struggled with injuries. With Marcus Rashford on the boil and Anthony Martial leaving Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag could also enter the market.
But who is available? Which striker suits which club best? And who can be bought at the best price? Mail Sport takes a look at five top strikers who could be picked up this summer.
Mikel Arteta (pictured) and Arsenal are looking for a new striker this summer as they look to win the Premier League next season
Enzo Maresca (pictured) and Chelsea are also looking for a new striker to play alongside Nicolas Jackson
Erik ten Hag (pictured) is on the verge of losing Anthony Martial and will need to strengthen his forward holdings
Benjamin Sesko
If there is one player you should see at the European Championships this summer, it is the Slovenian striker Sesko.
England fans will certainly get a good chance to see him in action, with the 6ft 9in target causing an upset against the Three Lions on June 16.
The 21-year-old, who plies his trade at RB Leipzig, is one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young stars and has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal. But the striker, who scored 18 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig in his first season at the club, could be available for around €45 million this summer.
It is a blow to many clubs in Europe’s top five leagues, but Arsenal appear to be closing in on a deal for the Leipzig striker. Although Man United and Chelsea have shown interest in the 20-year-old, The mirror claims he has already ‘said yes to Arsenal’, who are in pole position to sign him.
That could be a huge asset to Arteta’s side in terms of adding that missing piece of the puzzle to finally get going and win the Premier League.
Benjamin Sesko (photo) is a player you should see at the European Championships this summer
Victor Osimhen
It’s that time of year again when speculation begins to circulate about the future of Napoli star Victor Osimhen.
But this feels like a transfer saga that will soon end. With his contract set to expire in 2026, the Serie A side will no doubt be keen to cash in on the 26-year-old striker, who has scored 17 goals in all appearances this season.
Earlier in January, the striker, who was integral to Napoli’s 2022/23 Scudetto win, did little to quash growing rumors of a possible move to the Premier League. He stated that he had “made a decision” about his future.
There has previously been plenty of talk that he could join Chelsea, with the Blues making ‘first contact’ with Napoli over the striker’s future.
Arsenal were also interested in signing him, but the Serie A side are asking for a large fee for the Nigerian striker, of around £150 million.
Victor Osimhen (pictured) has a hefty price tag but could move to the Premier League this summer
Alexander Isaac
Newcastle will undoubtedly be desperate to keep hold of their star striker next season, with the Sweden international having scored an impressive 25 goals in all competitions this season.
At the age of 24, not many players can say they have adapted to the Premier League as well as he has, following his move from Real Sociedad in 2022.
But with Newcastle’s financial constraints raising concerns that they may have to offload a few players, there could be some heads turned if a big bid for Isak comes along, with Newcastle bracing for bids of around £100m from Arsenal and Tottenham.
Newcastle will undoubtedly be desperate to hold on to the departure of Alexander Isak (centre), but several clubs are making offers for the Magpies striker
Ollie Watkins
The man of the moment, it seems. Watkins has had a sensational season and his goal-scoring form has played a big role in securing Aston Villa a place in the Champions League next season.
The England star has scored 27 goals in all competitions this season, including 18 in the Premier League. His brilliant goalscoring form saw him rewarded with a place in Gareth Southgate’s final squad for Euro 2024.
Like Newcastle and Isak, Unai Emery will also be keen to keep hold of his star player ahead of their European campaign next season.
In fact, it looks like Liverpool could be interested in snapping him up The sun claim that Arne Slot wants to arrest him.
Ollie Watkins (pictured) has had a sensational season and it appears new Liverpool boss Arne Slot is interested in the Aston Villa star
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton have already dismissed claims that they may stage a fire sale of some of their key stars.
They are currently trying to fend off competition for their star defender Jarrad Branthwaite and they may have to do the same for Calvert-Lewin.
Despite his mixed form in recent seasons, which was driven by injuries, Calvert-Lewin finished the 2023/24 Premier League season very strongly and will have put several clubs on alert about his future.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (right) is being monitored by Chelsea and could be a key target for the Blues this summer
Mail Sport revealed on Thursday that Chelsea were monitoring the Everton striker, with Enzo Maresca’s side considering him a top target this summer.
Everton has now offered the striker a new contract and would like to tie him to a longer contract.