Everton’s Romelu Lukaku is just one of a number of strikers being linked with a summer move to Manchester United
It seems that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is determined to add to his striking options this summer.
The future of currently injured United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is very unclear. The Swede’s contract expires very shortly and he has not yet agreed on an extension.
One man that seemingly will not be heading to Old Trafford is Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann, who has now stated he is happy in Madrid.
This decision reportedly came after United cooled their interest in the Frenchman and Atletico’s summer transfer ban was upheld.
Griezmann may not be plying his trade in Manchester next season, but here are four strikers who may well be:
Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
The Belgium international enjoyed the best campaign of his career so far last season scoring 26 goals in all competitions. The striker’s goals helped the Toffees to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League and Europa League football for next season.
However, the ever-ambition 24-year-old wants to play Champions League football in the near future. The Red Devils could offer him that opportunity. Lukaku will not be an easy player to sign, though.
The Toffees do not need to sell and are reportedly holding out for a world-record fee of £100million for their star striker. A part-exchange deal involving former Everton player Wayne Rooney has been mooted, but it is unclear if that would appeal to the Toffees hierarchy.
There is also the small matter of former club Chelsea being interested in resigning Lukaku. The striker is in fact odds of 4/6 to be a Chelsea player by the time the summer transfer window shuts.
Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
The Daily Mirror claim that United are set to bid £50million for Lyon’s highly prolific striker Alexandre Lacazette this summer. The 26-year-old is looking to move on from the Ligue One club this summer.
Lacazette had actually agreed on a move to Spanish club Atletico Madrid. However, the club’s transfer ban prevented the deal from going through.
Lacazette scored 37 goals in all competitions for OL last season. In total the striker has scored 129 goals and produced 43 assists in 275 games for the French club. It is fair to say he knows where the net is. At 26 the striker is just approaching his peak years, so could be a shrewd signing for the Red Devils.
The French international had previously been linked on numerous occasions with a move to Arsenal. However, the Gunners interest in the striker seems to have cooled and the striker like Lukaku is reported to want Champions League football next season.
Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid)
The Spaniard is one of the most in-demand strikers in the European game. Both Arsenal and Chelsea are keeping tabs on the 24-year-old, while there are currently reports that the striker could be set to make a £52million move to Italian giants AC Milan.
If the move to Milan falls through, then no doubt United would be interested in signing the former Juventus star. Morata scored 23 goals in all competitions for Zinedine Zidane’s team, despite now always being a starter for the European champions.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are the first choice forwards at Real, so Morata was always going to find it difficult to dislodge the trio. A summer move was always on the cards. However, it seems the striker could well be plying his trade in Milan not Manchester next season.
Andrea Belotti (Torino)
Belotti is another striker that seems to have been linked with a whole host of Europe’s top teams. Once again the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal are also being linked with a move for the 23-year-old. Those pesky guys from AC Milan are also showing an interest in Belotti.
The Italian international has shot to prominence this season by scoring 28 goals in 38 appearances for Torino. Belotti signed a new deal in December with the club from Turin. The new deal included a release clause of an eye-watering £87million.
Mourinho is not scared to spend money and Belotti may well prove a viable target if AC Milan does not step in and sign the striker of course.
Which high-profile striker will Manchester United sign this summer?
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