MANCNIFICENT SEVEN
Seven of Europe’s hottest strikers who could solve misfiring Man Utd and Arsenal’s goal problems in transfer window
These forwards would be an upgrade on what the two clubs already have
ARSENAL and Manchester United’s recent struggles in front of goal highlight their desperate need for a proper striker.
The Gunners have had 48 shots in their last two home matches without scoring, thanks to the inefficiency of forwards Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Eddie Nketiah.
10
10
10
It has seen them drop from the Premier League summit to fourth, as well as being knocked out of the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, United have just 22 Prem goals this season – fewer than 17th placed Everton (24) and 18th placed Luton (23).
Forwards Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund missed a bucket-load of chances in their 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Wigan on Monday night.
Both United and Arsenal will probably need to sell this month before making any signings thanks to FFP worries.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
So, who could they go for? Here is SunSport's guide to their potential striking targets this month
VICTOR BONIFACE
CLUB: Bayer Leverkusen
AGE: 23
ASKING PRICE: £40-50m
Since joining Bayer Leverkusen in the summer from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise for £17m, the Nigerian international has hit the ground running.
Under former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso at Bundesliga leaders Leverkusen, Boniface has 16 goals in 23 games in all competitions.
10
A fee between £40m and £50m could lure him away from Germany but with Leverkusen going for the title, they will be reluctant to let their star man go this month, especially as he has four years left on his deal.
Most read in Football
One potential snag is that Boniface was forced to pull out of Nigeria’s Afcon squad with a groin strain.
SANTIAGO GIMENEZ
CLUB: Feyenoord
AGE: 22
ASKING PRICE: £60m
One of the hottest properties on the continent, the Argentinian forward is likely to cost any suitor around £60m.
Feyenoord will be desperate to hang on for as long as they can given Gimenez steered the club to the Eredivisie title last season with 15 goals in 32 league games.
He has already topped that this campaign with 18 goals in just 16 league appearances, putting Feyenoord in a Champions League spot for next season – but they are ten points behind leaders PSV.
10
JONATHAN DAVID
CLUB: Lille
AGE: 23
ASKING PRICE: £30m-£40m
With just under 18 months left on his contract in France, the Canadian international is unlikely to be sticking around for much longer.
An offer between £30m and £40m by any potential suitor could seal the deal now – which would be a bargain in today’s market.
David arrived at Lille in 2020 from Belgians Gent and scored 13 Ligue 1 goals to guide the club to the Ligue 1 title.
However, after a phenomenal 22/23 campaign, netting 24 league goals in 37 games, he has gone off the boil slightly this season with just five goals in 17 games so far – but that has not stopped the likes of AC Milan maintaining an interest.
10
SERHOU GUIRASSY
CLUB: Stuttgart
AGE: 27
ASKING PRICE: £15m
The Guinea forward is in his prime years with 17 goals from 14 Bundesliga outings this season.
Had he not suffered a hamstring injury in October, that tally could have been even better, having broken Robert Lewandowski’s Bundesliga record with 13 goals in his opening seven games.
Despite Stuttgart's best efforts to renegotiate, his release clause this month is only £15m.
The worry is that his amazing form is an anomaly – having never previously scoring more than 11 league goals in one season in his entire career.
But, at such a low fee, it may be a risk worth taking.
10
DUSAN VLAHOVIC
CLUB: Juventus
AGE: 23
ASKING PRICE: £50m
The one that got away for Arsenal in January 2022 as the Serbia striker opted for Juve for around £70m including add-ons.
Vlahovic has suffered from hamstring injuries over the past 12 months, meaning his goal return has not been as impressive compared to other forwards in Europe – just 24 in 59 league games.
However, Mikel Arteta is still an admirer and with Juventus needing to sell to comply with FFP regulations, he could be available for as little as £50m.
That could still be too steep for Arsenal or United, and perhaps a summer move could be on the cards instead with Vlahovic’s contract expiring in June 2026.
Another Serie A star, Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna, could also be worth a look, especially for the Red Devils.
10
TEREM MOFFI
CLUB: Nice
AGE: 24
ASKING PRICE: £25m
Currently at Afcon with Nigeria, Moffi will be keen to return fit and healthy with clubs ready to take a gamble this month.
West Ham tried and failed to land him last January for £25m and his value has only increased after six goals in 16 Ligue 1 games after joining Nice permenantly in the summer.
He made his name at Lorient with 34 league goals across two-and-a-half seasons, and so far has helped Nice to second, five points behind leaders PSG.
Perhaps the step-up to Arsenal or United would be too great, but could be a good squad option at a reasonable price.
10
LOIS OPENDA
CLUB: RB Leipzig
AGE: 23
ASKING PRICE: £70m
Only Guirassy and Harry Kane have scored more in the Bundesliga this term, and Openda – with 11 league goals – is attracting attention from all over Europe.
He joined Leipzig for around £40m including add-ons last summer having notched 21 times in 38 Ligue 1 games and he is so far proving to be worth the fuss.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Two goals at the Etihad in a 3-2 Champions League defeat by Manchester City made many people sit up and take notice.
With four-and-a-half years left on his contract, and a release clause of £70m activated in July 2025, this will not be a cheap winter buy.
10
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest transfer deals from around the world this January
Topics