As the Premier League season nears its run-in, several clubs will have their eyes on some big moves in the summer to better prepare them for the 2025-26 season.
A key area that is puzzling some top Premier League sides is finding a potent striker, which is proving to be an increasingly difficult task for the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United.
A top-quality forward has been regularly highlighted as the final piece in the puzzle for Arsenal in their pursuit of the Premier League title. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, meanwhile, have failed to scored consistently for Man United to date, with the expectation the Red Devils will be on the lookout for an established forward.
Chelsea fans believe greater quality is required in attack despite Nicolas Jackson‘s improvement, while Liverpool may look to refresh in attack amid Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota‘s inconsistent form.
That could leave some clubs facing a fight to keep hold of their star men, but the summer transfer window could see millions spent as club chiefs hunt for the solution to their No 9 problems.
Mail Sport takes a look at some of the names on the market and who could be in the race for their signature.
Mikel Arteta has long been in need of a forward to aid Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League
Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles could led to the Man United looking for attacking reinforcements
Ruben Amorim’s side will almost certainly be in the market for a new forward in the summer
Alexander Isak – Newcastle
Swede Alexander Isak has consistently been involved in transfer speculation since starring in his debut season for Newcastle back in 2022-23.
Isak has notched 19 goals in the Premier League so far this campaign, developing a reputation as a deadly finisher.
Mail Sport reported in January that Arsenal had expressed an interest in Isak last summer and may push for the Swede again at the end of this campaign.
The Newcastle forward has been touted as being worth a staggering £150m and has three years left to run on his contract. Mail Sport revealed earlier this week that Magpies chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has told the club’s hierarchy to resist any offers for his favourite player.
Isak claimed earlier this month he is likely to sit down with the club in the summer to hold talks over a new contract. Talks would likely be made easier from a Newcastle perspective if at return to the Champions League is secured.
Potential suitors: Arsenal, Liverpool
Alexander Isak has starred at Newcastle and would be hard to prize away from the Magpies
Viktor Gyokeres – Sporting Lisbon
Another Swede who knows how to find the back of the net, Viktor Gyokeres is setting impressive numbers for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, attracting admirers from across Europe.
He’s scored 83 goals in 91 appearances during his spell in Lisbon, with 40 of those in 41 games in the current campaign.
The former Coventry striker is expected to leave this summer, with reports from Portugal suggesting his aim is to depart on a high by leading the club to another domestic title.
A reunion with his former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford has been mooted, and he would almost certainly solve United’s goal scoring issues, but it is unclear if Gyokeres is keen on moving to United.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Gyokeres would prefer a transfer to either Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City.
Given City’s abundance of attacking talent with Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, a move to Liverpool or Arsenal appears more likely.
He has a €100m (£84m) release clause, but it is believed that Sporting would accept an offer of €70m (£59m), despite their talisman being contracted to the club until 2028.
A switch to England is not guaranteed, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG touted potential alternative destinations.
Potential suitors: Arsenal, Man City, Man United, Liverpool
Sporting forward Viktor Gyokeres is expected to leave in a big-money move this summer
Jonathan David – Lille
With his contract expiring this summer, Canadian Jonathan David should be at the top of the wish list of every Premier League side who are looking to grab themselves a bargain.
With 23 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances this season, David’s pace and agility positions him to be ready for a step up to the Premier League.
At 25 years old, it is rare that players of his pedigree are available as free agents, prompting a flurry of suitors who seek to acquire his services.
European giants Barcelona, Juventus and Inter Milan are attractive prospects for the Canadian, particularly as all are looking for long-term replacements to established strikers in their projects.
From a Premier League perspective, Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly two sides tracking David. According to Get French Football News, the likes of Arsenal and West Ham also have an interest in the forward.Â
David, however, has indicated LaLiga is his preferred league of choice.
‘The Premier League is a lot faster and more physical than all of the other leagues. But for me, I grew up watching a lot of LaLiga and for me, that would be my preferred league,’ he told the It’s Called Soccer podcast.
‘That is the league that I enjoyed watching the most so one day I would like to play there.’
Potential suitors: Arsenal, Liverpool Man United, West HamÂ
Lille’s Jonathan David is out of contract this summer and could represent a bargain dealÂ
Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus
Since his arrival in Turin in 2022, Dusan Vlahovic has been consistently linked with Premier League sides.
Vlahovic is experiencing a solid season, registering 14 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions, four goals behind his total from the 2023-24 campaign.
As his contract is set to expire at the end of next season, clubs may be able to acquire his services at a cut price rate.
Both Manchester United and Arsenal reportedly enquired about the Serbian in the January transfer window, and both sides could also be keen on a summer move.
Chelsea were also said to have been interested in Vlahovic, although his signing would go against the grain of the Blues signing teenage talents on long-term contracts.
Potential suitors: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man UnitedÂ
Dusan Vlahovic has regularly been linked with a move to the Premier League while at JuventusÂ
Benjamin Sesko – RB Leipzig
Another Balkan could be on the move this summer in the form of Slovenian Benjamin Sesko, who has been averaging around one goal every two games for German side RB Leipzig this season.
After an excellent Euro 2024 campaign, Sesko signed a contract extension which runs until 2029.
With the Slovenian reportedly having a release clause, it is suggested that if Leipzig receive an acceptable amount he would be able to leave this summer.
Sky Sports Germany report that Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd and Tottenham hold an interest in Sesko, with the Gunners having been long-term suitors – and Sesko could be the man that finally leads the Gunners to Premier League glory.
His release clause is touted as being £49.5m, but could rise to as much as £66m should certain conditions by met.
Potential suitors: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United and TottenhamÂ
Benjamin Sesko has a release clause in the contract he signed at RB Leipzig earlier this season
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has long been on the hunt for a forward to help his side’s Premier League title ambitions
Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray (on loan from Napoli)
With his future at Napoli seemingly all but over after heading out on loan, Victor Osimhen has reminded the European giants of his exceptional ability.
The Nigerian has netted 26 times in 30 games for Turkish giants Galatasaray, highlighting precisely why he is renowned as one of the best strikers in the world.
The ferocious forward has long had links with Manchester United and Chelsea, with the latter seemingly close to doing a deal until Napoli pulled out of the deal in the summer 2024 transfer window.
Osimhen’s speed suits Chelsea’s play style and the forward is very keen on a move to the London giants, stating he has always been a Chelsea fan since his childhood.
Former Blue John Obi Mikel stated that his fellow countryman is ‘the perfect Chelsea signing’, sending fans wild.
Osimhen is reportedly on Man United’s four-striker shortlist, along with Sesko, Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Potential suitors: Chelsea, Man United
Chelsea and Man United could look to Victor Osimhen when his Galatasaray loan deal expires
Marcus Rashford – Aston Villa (on loan from Man United)
Rashford’s shock January loan move to Aston Villa has so far gone well with the Englishman registering four assists in his first nine games for the Villans.
While he has yet to net for the club, Rashford’s impressive start has led to him being recalled to the England squad under new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.Â
Appearing to not be in Amorim’s plans, Rashford will likely be pushing for a move away from Manchester on a permanent basis in the summer.
Aston Villa seem to be the favourites to get Rashford on a permanent basis, contingent on summer sales funding the move.
The loan deal included an option for Villa to sign Rashford permanently for a pre-agreed fee, which is understood to be £40m.Â
In Europe, there is not a club who desperately needs his services. Barcelona briefly engaged in talks in January, but their financial issues put a potential move in doubt
Potential suitors: Aston VillaÂ
Aston Villa may look to trigger the £40m permanent option in Marcus Rashford’s loan deal
Victor Boniface – Bayer Leverkusen
Another Nigerian potentially on the move this summer is Victor Boniface, benefiting from his 21 goals scored in Bayer Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign in the 2023-24 season.
Suffering from injury in the current campaign, Boniface has still managed to score a goal every two games.
His physicality is key to his game, which would prepare him well for the Premier League’s demanding nature.
Boniface saw a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr collapse in January with the club instead pressing ahead with a deal for Jhon Duran from Aston Villa.
Reports have suggested Chelsea would be a leading contender to sign the forward this summer ahead of Arsenal and Man United. Newcastle are also said to be keeping their tabs on Boniface as a potential replacement for Isak should the Swede depart.
Potential suitors: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Newcastle
Victor Boniface could be back on the market this summer after a January transfer collapsed
Julian Alvarez – Atletico Madrid
Despite only recently moving to the Spanish capital, Argentinian Julian Alvarez could quickly return to England as Premier League sides pursue the forward.
Once Haaland’s understudy at Manchester City, Alvarez has been in top goal scoring form for Atleti, netting 23 times in 44 games.
Possessing Premier League and international tournament-winning experience, Alvarez would be a costly but extremely effective signing.
Atletico Madrid have reportedly moved to dismiss reports of Liverpool’s interest in their star forward, amid suggestions the Reds could offer Darwin Nunez in a potential swap deal.
Potential suitors: LiverpoolÂ
Atletico Madrid are reportedly moving to dismiss Liverpool links to star man Julian Alvarez
Arsenal made an offer for Ollie Watkins in January and could renew their interest this summer
Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa
Aston Villa frontman Ollie Watkins is continuing to perform well, claiming 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
He is a vital cog for Emery’s Villa side and, with the sale of Duran in January to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, he is the only striker available for the Villans.
Watkins is currently in the prime of his career and Villa would be reluctant to part ways for the England international.
Mail Sport reported in January that Arsenal had made an offer for the boyhood Gunners fan, but their offer was swiftly rebuffed. Watkins would represent an excellent Plan B should Mikel Arteta be unable to sign Isak.
Potential suitors: ArsenalÂ
