Reports in today’s Daily Mirror suggested that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is set to redouble his efforts to sign a world class centre forward this summer, even if it means cooling our interest in Memphis Depay.
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According to the source, Rodgers will allow Depay to join Manchester United because he needs all of his transfer kitty to ‘land a big-hitter up front’. If that does prove to be the case, we’re potentially looking at a club record signing.
Rodgers hinted as much this week when he said: “Daniel [Sturridge] has underlying issues that relate to his problems this season. We are liaising with the medics and doing everything we can.”
Without Sturridge, we need some goals from somewhere. So if you had £40-£50m to spend on a new striker, who would you want? In the list below we look at the ten best possible candidates and consider how likely we might be to convince them to come…
10) Luiz Adriano (Shakhtar Donetsk)
The Brazilian might be 28 but he appears to only now be reaching his full potential. He scored 26 goals in all competitions last season and has added 18 more so far in the current campaign, despite playing just 26 games.
9) Carlos Bacca (Sevilla)
The 28-year-old Colombian has fired his side to fourth place and the Europa League semi-finals already this season. His 25 goals in all competitions eclipse the 21 he netted in the previous campaign – an impressive record.
8) Radamel Falcao (Manchester United)
He’s managed just four goals on loan at United and is still struggling to recover from the injury he sustained shortly after joining Monaco. If he can get himself right, we might still see him back at his best next season.
7) Ciro Immobile (Borussia Dortmund)
The 25-year-old Italian hasn’t settled since his move to Germany, netting just three times in the league all season. However, he got 23 in all competitions for Torino the year before and may benefit from a change of scenery.
6) Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
He’s scored 48 goals in just 97 games for Villa. He may well have more if it were not for a long-term injury restricting his appearances last season. It’s a wonderful return from a team that’s been struggling at the bottom.
5) Luciano Vietto (Villarreal)
The 21-year-old Argentine has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season and undoubtedly has incredible potential. His potential partnership with Divock Origi could prove deadly moving forward, with so much potential.
4) Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)
One of the most established names in world football, there are few deadlier men leading the line. Still only 27, the Argentine World Cup star has scored 50 goals in 96 games since joining Napoli at the start of last season.
3) Jackson Martinez (FC Porto)
The third Colombian on this list and the man in the deadliest form for his club side. He’s scored 28 goals in just 37 games in all competitions so far this season and needs four more for his best season since joining Porto in 2012.
2) Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germain)
The long-time teammate of Luis Suarez in the Uruguayan national team. He’s scored 49 goals in 90 games since joining PSG at the start of last season. He’s 28 though and getting toward the tail-end of his best years.
1) Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
The 23-year-old has been in sensational form so far this season, scoring 31 goals in just 38 games. He broke his duck for the French national team earlier this year and looks to have an incredibly bright future ahead of him.
