Five strikers Man United could sign this summer

Viktor Gyokeres of 
Sporting CP

Manchester United are looking to sign a top quality centre-forward in the summer with Ruben Amorim reportedly losing faith and patience with Rasmus Hojlund.

This side needs a goalscorer but the lack of European football means the Reds face a battle to lure the continent’s top talents to Old Trafford.

With Bruno Fernandes eyeing up a possible move to the riches of the Saudi league, United could have a large chunk of money to spend on a replacement.

Here are five strikers the Reds could sign this summer

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting)

The hottest property in Europe right now, Gyokeres has plundered 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting. He surely will not be with the Portuguese champions much longer, with every major side on the continent queuing for his signature. He will come at a heavy price, though, and surely a player of his quality will want to showcase his talent in the Champions League. His transfer makes the most sense as a player whom has played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting, is proven at the top level and fits this system like a glove.  It’s been a remarkable rise for Gyokeres – from Brighton squad player to one of the best in the business.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli, on loan at Galatasaray)

Another player in high demand, Osimhen has long been linked with a move to United. This move has more leverage than any potential deal for Gyokeres as Napoli want Alejandro Garnacho. United’s wantaway Argentine could be used as a makeweight to bring the Nigerian to Old Trafford, but without European football, United may struggle to compete with several other leading lights in the battle for Osimhen. A more all round attacking threat than his Sporting counterpart, his pace, strength and athleticism would provide some much-needed physicality to United’s attack.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Different in style to both Gyokeres and Osimhen, Mateta’s starring role in Palace’s FA Cup win capped his finest season for the Eagles. A typical ‘battering ram’ of a centre-forward, Mateta’s assist for Eberechi Eze showcased everything the powerful Frenchman has to offer – he bullies defenders, runs in behind, can hold the ball up with a decent touch and gets on the end of balls into the box. Basically, everything Hojlund isn’t.

I would take Mateta at United in a heartbeat – proven in the Premier League, a player to have thrived in the 3-4-3 Amorim identikit and an instant upgrade in attack. Having gone down in south London folklore for his part in their FA-Cup exploits, the time has come for Mateta to move on from Palace’s perennial mid-tablers – even as they embark on their debut European campaign next term.

Mika Biereth (AS Monaco)

Biereth never played for the Gunners during his time in London (although he did make the first team bench), but has been a man reborn since moving to the Principality. Having hit 14 in 25 at Sturm Graz, the Dane continued his prolific season at Monaco with 13 goals in 18 games to fire them to a third place finish in Ligue 1. Like all of the other strikers on our list, Biereth is certain of Champions League football next season if he stays at Monaco, and any transfer would be his third in twelve months. Physical and quick, Biereth scored a hat-trick of hat-tricks in February alone and ten goals in as many games for Monaco saw him earn a first Denmark call

up. Hojlund’s compatriot and doppelganger has scored goals for fun on the continent and continues to go from strength to strength. A move back to the Premier League surely beckons on his current trajectory.

Hugo Ekitite (Eintract Frankfurt)

A relative unknown outside of Frankfurt until this season, Ekitite’s impressive numbers have attracted many a suitor. Despite losing star forward Omar Marmoush to City in January, unfashionable Frankfurt finished third in the Bundelisga, their highest position in 13 years, thanks to Ekitite’s 22 goals in 48 games – a decent return for a 22 year old in his first full season.
That form has catapulted him into the spotlight and caught the eye of several Premier League suitors. An intelligent and hard-working forward, Ekitite plies his trade both as a ‘traditional’ number nine but also as a ‘between the lines’ forward.
Like Hojlund, Ekitite is still young and has no Premier League experience so he’s a left field alternative with Amorim ideally looking for a more proven striker. He is expected to leave Frankfurt this summer with Newcastle and Chelsea also showing interest in the Frenchman. But the chance to turn United’s fortunes around and take us back to the top is still an attractive prospect and you can be sure United will be in the conversation when it comes to Ekitite. Given they sold Marmoush for 59m, Ekitite is likely to carry a similar price tag.