With the start of the new season less than two months away, clubs in various leagues are keen on bolstering their attacking options to yield maximum results in the next campaign.
The final third is a department on the pitch which no one can afford to overlook as it constitutes a team’s major goal-scoring threat which is, more or less, the most crucial factor for clubs looking to challenge for major silverware.
Over the past couple of years, relatively bigger clubs used their financial prowess to target and sign most prolific strikers available in the transfer market leaving the smaller sides with the option of taking a punt on an unproven striker who may or may not have some success on the resume.
But in recent times, thanks to massive TV deals and sponsorships, smaller clubs can also actively participate in the transfer market and bid for near-world class players who have the ability to take the club to new horizons. The likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini last season helped West Ham secure a place in the Europa League competition.
Strikers are undoubtedly the hottest property on the transfer market and even more so the prolific ones.
A phenomenal goal scoring season hardly goes unnoticed in European football. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the most sought-after strikers in Europe at the moment.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang enjoyed a prolific season with Dortmund, scoring 25 goals in just 28 league starts and three appearances out of the bench.
The striker scored a total of 36 goals in all competitions for Dortmund as they went on to finish 2nd in the Bundesliga table with 78 points – just 10 points behind champions Bayern Munich (88 points).
The 26-year-old played a significant role in Dortmund’s campaign. Even though Der BVB finished the season as the runners-up, Aubameyang can still be proud of his individual performances.
Aubamayeng’s speed underlines his proficiency as he relies on his attacking instinct and pace to score goals. Top teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal wanted to sign him during the January transfer window.
Rumours suggest that Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester United are interested in acquiring the services of the Gabon international, but it remains to be seen if a deal materialises anytime soon.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic is most definitely on every top club’s wishlist considering his immense proficiency up front. He’s the type of player that goads a team on to win major silverware.
Zlatan has reached the end of his contract with the Ligue 1 outfit PSG, which means that he’s available for a free transfer to any club at the moment. Manchester United have been touted as favourites to sign Ibra due to the arrival of Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
But despite the near-certainty of a move to Man United, a host of other clubs still, remain interested in the Sweden international.
Gonzalo Higuain
The Argentina international scored a record breaking 36 Serie A goals in 35 appearances, which made him one of Europe’s top marksmen in the 2015-16 season.
The 70 million pounds striker has attracted interest from major Premier League clubs including the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea.
Higuain has recently said that he’s keen on a move to Anfield but at the moment Liverpool haven’t submitted any concrete offer for his services.