Potential striker targets for the summer

[Fer]

A false 9 could be better than a target striker. We already have Rashford and Martial as forwards (if we sell Lukaku and Sanchez).

Do you prefer to sign a forward like Felix or a pure striker like Piatek?

 

[northender]

Haller or Dembele for United make perfect sense if Lukaku goes.

They may not score quite as many as him but paired with Rashford they'd be far more effective.

A target man like one of those two who is good in the air, good with his back to goal, and still chips in with goals would be ideal.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Haller or Dembele for United make perfect sense if Lukaku goes.

They may not score quite as many as him but paired with Rashford they'd be far more effective.

A target man like one of those two who is good in the air, good with his back to goal, and still chips in with goals would be ideal.

I could see Lukaku going and us signing them both. We need more than 1 striker tbh.

 

[Suvvernmanc]

I think if we sign a proper right winger finally, we could see a 433 formation instead of a 4312 diamond.

Selling Sanchez and Lukaku would leave us with Rashford and Martial as our only strikers. Realistically, Martial is a left winger and Daniel James is going to be back up left and right winger. In this scenario we absolutely have to sign a striker to either be a starter and replace Rashford as the #9, or to rotate with Rashford. This seems the most likely.

If we get £50-70m for Lukaku and a little bit for Sanchez we could spend all that on a new #9 without blowing a portion of our summer budget.

I'm not sure what players are available right now but we could buy a versatile 'forward' player who can play across the front 3. But they have to be a proper goal scorer as there are question marks with Rashford and Martials ability to lead the line right now.

 

[Fer]

If we sell Lukaku... Who would you prefer between Yedder, Icardi and Haller?

 

[NoPace]

Both them going would be a non-issue. We already have Martial (better as a striker than winger) and Rashford.
Personally, I would prefer a more balanced striker, operating in a similar role to how Firminho plays for Liverpool(think OGS will want to play similar to how Klopp and Liverpool plays). Among our current players, Pogba is the only one with the skillset to perform in this role. Greenwood with some muscles and experience has the skillset to play in all attacking roles and could be very well suited to this. Griezmann could do it, but doubt he is willing to come here without CL. He wants to win now.

Given the difficulty of finding these type of attacking players, we should aim for a player able to hold up defenders, win duels and able to press and create a better working environment for our inside forwards/wingers. Two options are Tammy Abraham and Sebastien Haller.

Haller is more technical and "tanky", while Abraham is harder working and more mobile. Both know how to position themselves before a cross (unlike Lukaku) and how to use their physique against centrebacks. If we could convince Chelsea to sell Abraham for £30m then we should be all over him. Seriously underrated player and he knows how to score goals. Would start neither against teams clearly better than us like Liverpool and City and the likes, as we would be better served by playing counterattacking direct football.

I totally agree on the type of striker you describe being the right fit here. But seeing Abraham for the U-21, he did not look a pressing player and overall just seemed a bit clumsy to me.

 

[Kostov]

If we sell Lukaku... Who would you prefer between Yedder, Icardi and Haller?

None.

I personally would like Timo Werner.

 

[Ikon]

If we sell Lukaku... Who would you prefer between Yedder, Icardi and Haller?

None.
Throw the money at the best RW attacker that we can get.

 

[sp_107]

None.

I personally would like Timo Werner.

Make perfect sense as Werner is a better prospect and his style suits EPL.

Him and Pepe would be ideal striker/RW signings in this summer.

Werner/Abumayang/Haller/Yeddar
Pepe/Sancho/Ousamane/ Richarlison/Hirving

2 from the above list could improve us for sure.

 

[Devil81]

I'd go for Piatek of Milan before he has another top season and his value sky rockets.

 

[GledTheRed]

Haller or Dembele for United make perfect sense if Lukaku goes.

They may not score quite as many as him but paired with Rashford they'd be far more effective.

A target man like one of those two who is good in the air, good with his back to goal, and still chips in with goals would be ideal.

Yes either of these.

 

[Ziggy Starduster]

I feel we are going to see a lot more of Sanchez through the middle, once Lukaku has gone.
Not sure the club will get another forward in. Maybe a winger.

 

[Scholsey2004]

If we sell Lukaku... Who would you prefer between Yedder, Icardi and Haller?

Yedder looks an exciting player. Icardi is obviously the best player on the list but equally obviously there's too much baggage there.

 

[Devils11]

Sell Lukaku already and use all the funds and buy Timo Werner. This kid can play CF and LW, provide some competition for our Lazy Martial.

 

[NoPace]

Yedder looks an exciting player. Icardi is obviously the best player on the list but equally obviously there's too much baggage there.

I think a small, bright striker like Yedder made a ton of sense at aged 26 for 9M like Sevilla (he was coming off four straight basically 1 in 2 seasons in Ligue 1, which isn't full of those) but not for 35-40M at aged 28.

I do think he'd end up starting for us next year, though, maybe with Rashford ending up on the right, just because Ben Yedder is good and I don't think we have 3 good attackers at the moment.

 

[Ashes1396]

My recommendation would be Sebastien Haller. 32 goals in 39 appearances in the Bundesliga shows that he has come good in his second season for FC Utrecht. Although this is brilliant, I would buy him for his ability to bring the team into the match; this is something we've been crying for in Lukaku. Buying him will not only improve Rashford and Martial, but also aid our lacklustre forward patterns of play.

 

[Scholsey2004]

I think a small, bright striker like Yedder made a ton of sense at aged 26 for 9M like Sevilla (he was coming off four straight basically 1 in 2 seasons in Ligue 1, which isn't full of those) but not for 35-40M at aged 28.

I do think he'd end up starting for us next year, though, maybe with Rashford ending up on the right, just because Ben Yedder is good and I don't think we have 3 good attackers at the moment.

He could probably play split strikers with rashford ahead of a creative cam. If all we need is a back up striker though who'll get most of his minutes as a sub or in less competitive games then you could argue a decent experienced journeyman for a small fee would make more sense. Personally I'm more tempted by the idea of Jarrod Bowen from hull. From what I've seen of him he's basically a right forward. Certainly knows where the goal is and he fits the profile of young, English and talented.

 

[devilish]

Haller, werner, poulsen, belotti

 

[wurzel-red]

I’m always drawn to scrappy, ultra alert strikers like Ben Yedder.

There’s something very Suarez about him, always hustling in the box, confuses defenders and helps players around him find space. Seems decent technically as well.

Seems quite a high price for a 28 year old though. Personally I’d go for him.

 

[VP89]

Piatek is the only one I want to be honest.

Aubameyang would be perfect but near impossible to sign.

 

[sp_107]

Piatek is the only one I want to be honest.

Aubameyang would be perfect but near impossible to sign.

Piatek is a pure poacher, he will limit our fluid playing style Ole likes to implement but I agree he is a great goal scorer.

Seems we are serious about Aubameyang as lot of noise coming out this morning but he is already 30 years so not sure its worth blowing 60-70M just to get 2 more years max from Auba.

 

[R'hllor]

Depends what Ole wants (if we sell Lukaku), is he looking someone who will be a starter from a get go or he is looking some bench warmer on lower wages, that way Rashford gets free path towards starting XI.

People already mentioned some names that might be able to lead a line from the start but if he is looking something different, plan B, some target man type (not like Lukaku in JM vision of that role), someone who wont make a fuss for being on the bench etc.

Well, maybe we can look at player types like Mitrovic, they aint better strikers than Lukaku but in target man role with focus on build up play( lets be real in that specific role, Mitrovic looks like Pele compared to Lukaku), play of them, being able to bully defenders (being a bit of cnut on top of it), someone who you can bring in last 10 min (at home) if you wanna try something different etc. Maybe there are cheaper and better options similar to this somewhere in Europe, dunno.

 

[JJ12]

Piatek is a pure poacher, he will limit our fluid playing style Ole likes to implement but I agree he is a great goal scorer.

Seems we are serious about Aubameyang as lot of noise coming out this morning but he is already so not sure its worth blowing 60-70M just to get 2 more years max from Auba.

2 years isn't the 'max' surely

 

[onemanarmy]

I'm looking forward to the development of Wesley Moraes at Aston Villa. Very strong player and technically better than most of his size. Only 22. If he can focus and work hard, he'll have a great future.

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

I get the links to Ben Yedder and Werner as they are good finishers, available fairly cheaply and both can play all over a front 3. However, I think we'd be seriously lacking any aerial presence without Lukaku. Its not glamorous but it can help massively in the PL when the chips are down. Fellaini saved our bacon many a time; albeit because our general play was tumescent so the route 1 option was something we felt we had to turn to.

For me, this is why Haller is the best option. He's really unselfish, a great link player with superb hold up play. He is tall and a strong presence but isn't too static or untechnical to stall flowing attacks. Quite the opposite. I think he made Jovic look better than he is last season.

 

[luke511]

Would AC Milan consider a straight swap, Lukaku for Piatek? Lukaku would look good in an AC Milan shirt

 

[Bearded One]

Aubaumeyang and Sancho will do. Thank you....

I wish we got Auba the summer he, Morata and Lukaku were available. I was surprised that we favoured the other two ahead of him. When I mentioned that I thought we were missing a trick, the "age" excuse was given but deep down I knew that Auba would be the much better option because age is only relevant to the extent of a player's output. Even if the player is 18 years old, if he doesn't show enough promise, we will loose patience at some point.

Now Arsenal will do everything to keep him from us.

Make perfect sense as Werner is a better prospect and his style suits EPL.

Him and Pepe would be ideal striker/RW signings in this summer.

Werner/Abumayang/Haller/Yeddar
Pepe/Sancho/Ousamane/ Richarlison/Hirving

2 from the above list could improve us for sure.

 

[MUFC OK]

Alexander Isak? Could be a cheaper option with great potential, he could be one of those who is a move and a good season away from commanding a £50m+ fee.

 

[BrianMcClair'sBarnet]

Alexander Isak? Could be a cheaper option with great potential.

Just moved to Spain,I think.
Still,far to early for him and us.

 

[Sp00ks11]

Not sure about Aubemayang, whenever I watch him he seems very wasteful. We already have Rashford who loves to waste chance after chance.

Can we just not play Martial as our striker. He is our best finisher, especially when he has his confidence. An arm around Martial, him not being tasked with being a left back, or hauled off and stuck back on the bench if he doesn't score for 2 games in a row might just bring out the best in him again.

 

[red woppit]

Arnoutevic.

 

[Bestietom]

Dembele or Piatek

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Maybe Greenwood will get the chance

 

[onemanarmy]

Arnoutevic.

If you mean Arnautovic, hell no.

 

[bond19821982]

I get the links to Ben Yedder and Werner as they are good finishers, available fairly cheaply and both can play all over a front 3. However, I think we'd be seriously lacking any aerial presence without Lukaku. Its not glamorous but it can help massively in the PL when the chips are down. Fellaini saved our bacon many a time; albeit because our general play was tumescent so the route 1 option was something we felt we had to turn to.

For me, this is why Haller is the best option. He's really unselfish, a great link player with superb hold up play. He is tall and a strong presence but isn't too static or untechnical to stall flowing attacks. Quite the opposite. I think he made Jovic look better than he is last season.

Its a myth that Lukaku is great in air.

 

[ATXRedDevil]

My recommendation would be Sebastien Haller. 32 goals in 39 appearances in the Bundesliga shows that he has come good in his second season for FC Utrecht. Although this is brilliant, I would buy him for his ability to bring the team into the match; this is something we've been crying for in Lukaku. Buying him will not only improve Rashford and Martial, but also aid our lacklustre forward patterns of play.

He has 24 in 60 (49 starts) in two seasons in Germany. He had 45 in 90 In Holland (87 starts).

 

[Fer]

Everyone is talking about Haller and Yedder. Are they better than Piatek/Werner?

 

[MUFC OK]

Just moved to Spain,I think.
Still,far to early for him and us.

Yeah Real Sociedad I see. I agree, we need experience and leaders at the moment. I would honestly take Vardy if he was available, unfortunately theres about 5 or 6 Leicester players we could use which shows the level both clubs are at currently.

 

[Ashes1396]

He has 24 in 60 (49 starts) in two seasons in Germany. He had 45 in 90 In Holland (87 starts).

Apologies. Goal contributions rather than goals = 32 in 39 (according 90 minute.com).

 

[MrSingh2002]

Go get Piatek. AC Milan not even in Europa League now. We won't be disappointed selling Lukaku and bringing Piatek in.

Goals goals goals.