Many top clubs will have been keeping tabs on Europe's most clinical strikers with an eye to buying them at the end of the season. Here are five top forwards who could be set for big-money moves soon!
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When clubs buy players, they often scout them over a long period of time before deciding if they are worth spending money on. Some may have not been prolific during the 2023/24 campaign like they perhaps were in previous seasons, but are still held in high regard. However, there are others who have burst on to the scene and have emerged on the radar of top sides only recently.
Victor Osimhen
Osimhen is a striker that falls into the former category. Last season, the Nigeria hitman led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years as he bagged Golden Boot honours, scoring 26 goals. This season he has not been as prolific, but in a campaign where he suffered a hamstring injury and was competing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles, he has maintained his efficiency, bagging 11 league goals in 16 appearances.
Even though he recently signed a contract extension with Gli Azzurri, there is a hefty release clause inserted into it believed to be worth €120 million (R2.4 billion). As big a figure as that might be, it is believed the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal would be keen on taking him to their respective clubs.
Ivan Toney
Toney is also a forward who has not been as prolific as he was last season, but is still highly regarded. After scoring 20 Premier League goals last campaign, the England international was hit with an eight-month ban, which halted his momentum. Regardless of the fact that he only returned to the pitch in January, the target man is still on the radar of teams such as the Gunners, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. He has been efficient since returning, too, scoring four goals in his eight league matches.
Serhou Guirassy
While Osimhen and Toney's goalscoring prowess may have been known before this campaign, very few people would have been aware of how good Guirassy was in front of goal. The Guinea international started the German top-flight season like a house on fire as he bagged 10 league goals in his first five Bundesliga matches. His form was so good that clubs were eager to procure him even during the mid-season transfer window, but he decided to stay in Germany, and he has continued to find the back of the net in a Stuttgart uniform. The French-born attacker is rumoured to have a €17.5 million (R356 million) release clause in his contract, which is why a plethora of teams such as Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and others are all said to be queuing in order to land the centre-forward's signature.
Viktor Gyokeres
One of the surprises of the season is Swedish striker Gyokeres. Perhaps only because, before moving to Sporting CP, he was also prolific in the EFL Championship for Coventry City. In 91 games for the Sky Blues in England's second division, the Scandinavian scored 38 goals and provided 15 assists. That proved to be merely the beginning of his rise as, since moving to Lisbon, Gyokeres has been even more prolific having scored 36 goals and provided 11 assists so far in all competitions this campaign. There is reportedly a €100 million (R2 billion) release clause in his current contract, but that has not stopped the Stockholm native from being linked with the Premier League's biggest teams.
Santiago Gimenez
The youngest of these strikers is Santiago Gimenez. Since arriving at Feyenoord, the 22-year-old has found the back of the net at a rapid rate; 23 games into his debut campaign in the Dutch top division and he is already on 20 goals! He will undoubtedly be hot property on the market come the off-season.
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It is for this reason The Club on the Meuse handed the Mexico international a new contract in late 2023, with a number of top English clubs beginning to consider his potential signing!
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