Manchester United finally got the Bryan Mbeumo deal over the line after agreeing a £71million fee with Brentford, and have now set their sights on bolstering their fire power upfront.
The signings of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee over the last two seasons have proved something of a damp squib, with the duo registering a measly 33 goals between them in 144 combined appearances.
Arsenal have seemingly pulled off a coup in bringing in Viktor Gyokeres, which will have been enough to induce an ulcer in Amorim, whose pursuit of the rampant Swede has been extensively documented since he took over the reins at Old Trafford.
The former Coventry man was a proven focal point in Amorim’s system at Sporting, racking up an impressive 66 goals in 68 appearances under the Portuguese.
Now, Amorim and Co will have to refocus their efforts ahead of the new season, as the squad embarks on a three-game tour in the U.S.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has looked to tighten the purse strings since purchasing a 27.7 per cent stake in the club and assuming football operations, making a swathe of high-profile job cuts in the process, therefore any striker acquisitions will likely be dependent on outgoings.
Manchester United’s frontline has already been beefed up with the arrival of Bryan Mbeumo
However Ruben Amorim still needs to strengthen his options at central striker this summer
Mail Sport broke the story on Thursday that Alexander Isak is exploring a move away from Newcastle
One player who the Red Devils will likely not be targeting is Alexander Isak, who Mail Sport revealed is looking to leave Newcastle, but will likely require a fee beyond United’s means to bring to Old Trafford.
United recently left their ‘bomb squad’ – Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho, and Antony – behind to train at Carrington, and will be hopeful that any club is tempted to the shop window, even if the latter two go for a significant loss.
Here are some of the contenders to take the workload off Hojlund and Zirkzee up top next season…
Benjamin Sesko
Age: 22 Appearances: 224 Goals: 100 Assists: 26
The RB Leipzig frontman was initially pursued by Arteta this summer, but Gyokeres’ interest in joining the Gunners led to them cooling interest in the Slovenian.
Sesko is a powerful, physically imposing (6ft5in) forward who would suit Amorim’s system, with darting runs in behind becoming a signature move at the Red Bull Arena.
He is not too dissimilar – in style or stature – to Gyokeres, but less productive, registering 39 goals in his 87 appearances at Leipzig.
Benjamin Sesko is not dissimilar to Viktor Gyokeres in stature but is far less prolific
At just 22 years old though, he has a high ceiling and would be an investment for the long-term, even at a price above United’s current comfort level.
The German club were reportedly asking for between €80m to €100m (£68m to £85m) for their star striker, which may well be a bridge too far for United unless they manage to offload some of their wantaways.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Age: 28 Appearances: 308 Goals: 119 Assists: 19
Mateta’s Crystal Palace career has gone from strength to strength since the arrival of Oliver Glasner last February.
The battling Frenchman is a proven Premier League product who can press relentlessly and make clever movements in the box, all qualities that United have earmarked for their first choice No 9.
He has goalscoring nous, converting 15 times in the league last term, nearly double the tally of United’s top scorer Bruno Fernandes on eight.
According to Transfermarkt, he has a current market value of £26m, which would make him a bargain compared to others on this list, though United’s history of getting bullied in negotiations makes that a somewhat unrealistic fee. Still, Mateta’s profile suggests he should thrive in a 3-4-3, and he would be an upgrade on Amorim’s current options.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s could thrive in a 3-4-3, and he would be an upgrade on Amorim’s current options
Ollie Watkins
Age: 29 Appearances: 444 Goals: 162 Assists: 74
Watkins endured something of a tumble back down to Earth last season, which may sound ridiculous when you consider he netted 16 times in the league – the 7th most of any player in the league – and set up a further eight for Villa.
But that’s a testament to the phenomenal form he was in the previous year, which saw him contribute 34 league goal involvements – only pipped by Cole Palmer with 35 – on the way to the Birmingham team’s return to the Champions League.
It is because of those dizzying heights that top clubs maintain an interest in the England international, and the Villains will likely demand a fee deserving of that potential.
Watkin’s potency against the top Premier League will be another draw for United.
The striker averages more than a goal a game against Liverpool and Arsenal, and has netted a combined seven against Spurs, City and Chelsea.
He is the most proven goalscorer on this list, and if he can replicate his Villa form into his 30s, the Red Devils could quickly pull themselves back into European contention with his signature.
Manchester United have reportedly contacted Aston Villa over a move for Ollie Watkins
Nicolas Jackson
Age: 24 Appearances: 173 Goals: 51 Assists: 27
When Jackson arrived at Stamford Bridge from Villarreal in 2023, many baulked at the £32m price tag for a player with only twelve top flight goals.
Wayward shots, goal droughts and high-profile misses have led to a slightly unwarranted perception of Jackson as incapable of succeeding in a top Premier League team, but the Senegalese striker is more than capable of being deadly on his day.
He is strong in transition and works hard at the top of the pitch to facilitate more dangerous players like Palmer – a style that he could replicate in front of the likes of Bruno, Cunha and Mbeumo.
The arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer – and their impressive form at the Club World Cup – look to have pushed him down the pecking order, which may convince Chelsea to drop their current asking price of £80m-100m if the forward demands a move.
The arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap have pushed Nicolas Jackson down the pecking order
Christopher Nkunku
Age: 27 Appearances: 356 Goals: 113 Assists: 71
The French international has flopped since arriving from Chelsea for £52m in the summer of 2023, hitting the back of the net just six times in his 38 Premier League appearances.
His time at Stamford Bridge has exposed a brittleness that may not suit the extreme physicality of the Premier League, but the West London club have dropped their asking price from £65m to £43m since the start of the window, according to The Athletic, making him one of the more affordable options for the United top brass.
His versatility at the top of the pitch would provide some depth for the front three positions of Amorim’s system, which could prove especially useful with the departure of Rashford and the others who are likely to follow.
But United are looking for a focal point to their attack, and Nkunku’s lack of credentials in that role – at least in English football – makes him one of the weaker options on this list.
Christopher Nkunku is one of the weaker options on the list without experience leading the line
Juventus have reportedly offered Dusan Vlahovic as a makeweight for Jadon Sancho
Dusan Vlahovic
Age: 25 Appearances: 302 Goals: 130 Assists: 24
Vlahovic’s scintillating Fiorentina form convinced Juventus to part with £66.6m for his services in the 2022 winter window, but he has lacked the same bite since joining the Old Lady, who are reportedly desperate to offload the striker before he is out of contract next summer.
In addition to making a £66.6m loss, his salary will reportedly increase by around £1.3m in the final year of his Bianconeri contract, causing further consternation amongst the Juventus board.
Vlahovic is another imposing figure of Gyokores and Sesko ilk, who can run in behind, and who would provide the presence that Hojlund has failed to show up top.
But he has underwhelmed during his two seasons in Turin, notching up 58 goals in 145 games, and just about hitting double figures in the league last year.
Juve have reportedly offered their Serbian striker in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho amid their interest in the winger, offering the possibility of a win-win for both teams.
What remains to be seen is if Amorim would be keen to sanction such a deal – a lack of action suggests not – and with Milan reportedly closing in, this seems the unlikeliest of the bunch.
