New Delhi: The new season of the Premier League is set to begin on August 16 with the opening match between defending champions Liverpool and Bournemouth. With just one month to go, several clubs are still in the market to sign a striker.
Chelsea have been quick in the market and signed both Liam Delap from Ipswich and Joao Pedro from Brighton. But some of the big clubs like Newcastle United, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are still waiting to sign the right player for the job. With several clubs linked to various strikers, and multiple teams pursuing the same target, it’s easy to lose track of who’s going where and when.
Almost off the market
Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting): The 27-year-old striker has been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal in the summer transfer window, but the former Coventry player is expected to sign for the North London club in a deal of £63.5m.
He has netted 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portugal side Sporting CP. The Gunners were in the market for a long while and were linked with several strikers, but it looked like they had found their number 9.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli): Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea have been strongly linked to sign the Nigerian forward, but it looks like he’s likely to move to Turkish side Galatasaray.
He spent last season on loan for the club and is keen on a return to Turkey. If Napoli and Galatasaray fail to reach an agreement for the player, other clubs might make a move to strike a deal with the Italian club.
In demand
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United): Despite Newcastle’s firmness that the player is not available for sale, his future at the club remains uncertain. Defending champions Liverpool are interested in signing the 25-year-old forward but they have to break the British transfer record to sign him. According to media reports, he would cost more than £130m.
Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt): The 23-year-old forward has scored 15 goals and provided eight assists for Frankfurt. Liverpool and Newcastle are interested in signing the French forward. Newcastle have recently made a £70m bid, which was rejected by the German club.
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford): Manchester United is still leading the race to sign Mbeumo and are hoping to seal a £60m+ deal for the forward ahead of the pre-season tour to the USA. Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest in signing him, but have made no official bid yet. Several Champions League clubs are also monitoring his situation closely.
Yoane Wissa (Brentford): Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in signing another Brentford forward, Yoane Wissa. The deal could reunite the player with his former boss, Thomas Frank, who is now in charge at the North London club.
The 28-year-old netted 20 goals last season and has attracted major interest from several Premier League clubs. Liverpool are also monitoring the situation closely.
On the radar
Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig): Arsenal were heavily interested in striking a deal for Benjamin Sesko, but shifted their focus to Viktor Gyokeres. But several other big clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Saudi sides, are still interested in signing him. RB Leipzig reportedly asking £85m for him.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa): Arsenal made a late bid to sign the English striker from Aston Villa in the winter transfer window, but they rejected a £40m offer. Several clubs are keeping a close eye on the player, with Manchester United and Liverpool showing interest. But Villa is not keen to sell the player.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace): Many clubs have shown interest in signing the Frenchman in the summer transfer window. But Crystal Palace are looking to keep him at the club by offering a long-term deal. His current contract is set to expire in 2017. He was one of the best performers for the Eagles in the last season, netting 17 goals in all competitions as the club won their first ever major trophy – the FA Cup.
Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea): The arrival of João Pedro and Liam Delap has raised questions about the 24-year-old’s position in the club. He scored 10 goals in the Premier League 2024-25 season. Manchester United and some Italian clubs are monitoring the situation and might sign him for the upcoming season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton): The 28-year-old’s contract with Everton has expired, and he is a free agent currently. Manchester United and Newcastle are linked with England forward in the summer transfer window.