23 Jul 2025 10:28:04
With Gyökeres, Delap, Osimhen and Ekitike all joining other clubs the striker market is getting smaller. That said the competition for those players along with our current position always meant it was going to be difficult to actually compete for their signatures.

That said there are still a lot of potential options available, such as: Watkins, Jackson, Sesko, Vlahovic, Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Mateta, Schick, Moise Kean, Boniface, Samuel Aghehowa, En-Nesyri, and El Bilal Touré.

People will all have their preferred options, but all of those mentioned are an upgrade on our current options of Højlund, Zirkzee, and Chido Obi. Two of which are the wrong profile of striker and the other a kid who is a few years away from being ready to lead the line regularly for us.

Personally I would prefer a more experienced option, for me Watkins is the best of the bunch, if not him then Kolo Muani is for me the next best option, followed by Jackson. The others are either too inexperienced, or not quite the right profile of striker for what Amorim typically wants.

You guys might disagree with my preferences, and that's fine. But we absolutely need to get a striker sorted ASAP now.

1.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 11:11:08
The question is, do you pay nearly £60 million for Watkins or pay similar or slightly more for Sesko?

Sesko would be a better option, as Watkins is only a short-term solution. Having watched Sesko a few times, he does look talented and has the potential to improve even more.

2.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 11:30:38
I'd be looking at aghehowa.

3.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 12:00:44
I'd be surprised if they went for the older players on that list ie Watkins / Mateta based on the principle that along with Chelsea we've been targeting younger/ mouldable players. But granted we need experience and a stop-gap player who breaks the mould of what we've generally been going for is fine by me.
I believe Sesko is now off the table and I don't see Ramos leaving the European champions for us. But to be fair he'd start more and earn more for us so maybe a dark horse.
Boniface is an interesting name who doesn't pop up too much in these conversations. The times I've seen him he's been incredible, a real handful.

4.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 12:23:38
Don't see the hype on Kolo Muani, his output is not that good to be gambling on a non Premier League proven Striker.

5.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 12:56:34
Honestly, just play Bruno F9 and invest in a proper midfielder.

None on your list would get 15 league goals for us, in my opinion. So may as well invest the money elsewhere.

As for Watkins - no no no no NO.

6.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 12:59:59
Any thoughts on Guirassy (pardon the spelling) from Dortmund? Never seen him myself, but there was some hype around him for a while.

7.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 13:06:56
Haven't we tried Bruno as a false 9 to disastrous effect?

8.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 13:07:24
Would keep the theme of the window going, KISS, keep it simple stupid.

Keep signing premier league proven players who are used to the physicality of the league.

Therefore would lean towards mateta or watkins, probably favour Mateta as he can definitely hold the ball and occupy two centre backs, goalscoring record is questionable but his competition would be Hojlund (4 league goals) and Zirkzee (3 league goals) so as long as he stays fit i think he would be an immense upgrade on those two.

9.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 13:13:50
From this list, Ramos is the one.

10.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 15:47:38
Like I said many times for me it’s Mateta or Watkins, we need a proper goal scorer not another potential and with strength, pace and EPL pedigree, what’s difference if it’s 2-3 years, if a potential come in and fulfilled there potential, they would be off in 3 years anyway
But we certainly do need a striker or 2 rumours some fools in Italy are looking at Rasmus and Zirkee, we can but hope.

11.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 15:25:49
We are at the stage its worth looking away from what I would call the tier 1 targets like Gyökeres, Delap, Osimhen, Ekitike. The group below that Watkins, Jackson, Sesko, Vlahovic, Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Mateta, Schick, Moise Kean, Boniface, Samuel Aghehowa are all very expensive with either concerns around ageing or consistency. Of the aforementioned list Samuel Aghehowa is probably the best long term fit but Porto would want massive money as he's got a £84m release clause.

One player is think is worth a look at is the lad Sporting and Eintracht are looking at to replace Gyökeres and Ekitike, Franjo Ivanovic. 21 years old, 6' 1" tall he has a powerful build much in the style of Gyökeres, his carrying stats, passing stats dual stats are all top notch. He got 32 goal in 72 games last season, which is a great data set to look at. His defensive action stats are brilliant, showing he works very hard for the team. He's statistically the closest thing to Gyökeres on FBREF.

We need to buy in other positions, Ivanovic would be a great option for a cost effective solution with bags of potential.

12.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 16:51:00
The best option would be Watkins. Older, but proven EPL scorer that fits the system.

Sesko will probably be better player. However, we need to learn our lesson after Hojlund. Asking promising young strikers to lead an EPL attack is a massive risk, especially at what he’d cost.

Mateta is a solid option too, but I suspect he’d cost a lot.

Personally, I’d be looking to see if a swap deal with villa could be done for Garnacho. No point having a petulant distraction hanging around.

13.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 17:01:27
Gonçalo Ramos on Loan would be my preferred option and reassess next summer.

Watkins is aging, decking and was benched by Rashy.
Muani doesn’t score and seems like a dressing room
deviant based Saliba’s videos.
Sesko looks risky but I’d be open to it.

I like Mateta but would be too expensive.

As Gyokeres and Ekitike both seem like huge gambles to me, and glad we aren’t in for either.

14.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 17:53:58
Players like Watkins, Mateta, and Wissa are too old for the kind of fees that they’d command. The others would be expensive too, just with a much higher risk/ reward ratio. They could flop in the Premier League, but I think they all have the potential to be better than Watkins, Mateta, and Wissa while offering a long-term solution to a long-term problem position. But are they worth the risk?

I’d be open to Sesko. Maybe Jackson, if we could get him for under £50m (although I’d have major concerns about his attitude) . I think if we can’t get Sesko or Jackson we’d be better off offering Vardy, DCL, or Wilson a one-year pay as you play deal or looking for a loan deal.

15.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 18:30:09
Watkins? Seriously? Please nooo ?.

16.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 18:35:57
Ramos, Vlahovoc or Sesko seem attainable.

Also Rasmus will no longer have any excuses playing with Mbeumo, Cunha and Bruno!

17.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 20:09:31
I find it funny how people are turning up their noses at players like Watkins because he's "too old". Now given the clubs recent history of signing older strikers such as Zlatan, Cavani, Ronaldo, Ighalo and Weghorst I kind of get it.

However, they were all in their mid thirties when we signed them, not their late twenties.

Given how sports science has impacted football in recent years players are maintaining playing at a high level for much longer. Salah just blew the EPL goals and assist record away with his best ever season at the age of 33.

While I generally prefer to see us signing younger players who can develop with us, we shouldn't ONLY sign younger players.

The problem with signing young guys who'll start to hit their peak in 3 years time is that we need results between now and then to be able to continue to build and improve.

Sure we could sign Sesko or Aghehowa, and it might take them 3 years before they manage to score double digits in the EPL, and we continue to struggle to qualify for the Europa league over the next 3 years, with 8th to 10th placed finishes.

We need goals now, we need someone who is as close to a guarantee of EPL goals NOW, not in three years time.

If we sign Sesko and he manages to match his best ever Bundesliga season in his first year in the EPL then he still won't get as many goals and assists as Watkins has managed in any of the last 4 seasons.

Yes Watkins isn't the "ideal" age profile, but at 29 he will still be a top performer for the next 3 maybe even 4 years, taking him up until he is 33, the same age as Salah is now.

Yes we might need to sign a new striker in 3 years time if we sign Watkins. But let's be honest we signed a striker last year (Zirkzee), and the year before (Højlund) . So there is no guarantee that whichever striker we sign this summer that we won't need to sign another one over the next few years anyway.

Watkins would get us 15-18 league goals and 10+ league assists next season. Literally no other striker we could possibly and realistically sign will get us that many goals and assists next season.

Yes we need to plan for the futures but to get to that future we also need to get results in the present. If we don't get at least Europa league football this season then next summer will be another challenging recruitment drive, where we will see teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, City and Chelsea getting their business for top players done quickly and easily while we have to wheel and deal to try and sign the best of the rest.

18.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 20:35:50
Ivan Toney would be better than any of those mentioned.

19.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 20:38:16
If possible a loan would work well this year and use the money on a midfielder.
Watkins seems to be itching for a move, Ramos seems to have plateaued at PSG but I have always liked him. On loan I don't actually mind Jackson.

Who knows, if we do well this season we could then have a look at Isaac after Newcastle struggle and all other teams have there striker sorted. now that is wishful thinking!

20.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 20:48:09
Great discussion. Who knows how's, Rasmus might find having more support gives him a new lease of life.

21.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 21:19:57
Well Shappy you did invite opinions, should have expected an essay in response lol.
Watkins underwhelms me. Maybe we shouldn’t care about ages/ injury records/ characters and let our new best in class backroom staff do their due diligence on those things.
We have signed the older players in their last years to decent as well as awful effect.
We’ve signed the younger players full of potential to incredible and to awful effect.
Centreforward is a bit different, like goalkeeper. These are magical shirts at Manchester United and it’s rare a very young player comes in and owns them. Maybe someone between the two is safest, someone who’s proved they can find the net and with a few years ahead of them but maybe in need of a new challenge.

22.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 21:30:37
Shappy are you getting a commission on Watkins? ?

I think you’re playing fast and loose with data here to prop up your opinion. And I’m not that fussed on Sesko but I got to say something here pal because I had to check your pitch.

Dude - Sesko has a better goals to game ratio over the last 5 years. Plus he turns 23 at the end of next season and Watkins 30 in December.

Watkins - 223 games, 87 Goals.
Sesko - 210 games, 90 goals (granted in inferior leagues but also as a teenager)

Internationals
Watkins - 18/ 5
Sesko - 41/ 16

The main difference here is Watkins has done it in the EPL, but is on the decline. Sesko is risky but has potential. Also I’ve not got assists but we aren’t buying a striker for assists.

All that said I’m a Sales Director, I’m sure you once mentioned you’re a teacher - if you ever fancy a career in Sales or Marketing you’d do great, love the hustle! ?.

23.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 21:32:57
We are dismissing what we already have based upon a very disjointed season.
I do agree Rasmus needs some time away from the spotlight and may never reach the heights he believes he can - it might best that he moves on.
Obi is probably a bit part this season as he continues his development.
Zirkzee I still maintain will surprise quite a few on here with Cunha and Mbuemo flanking him.
That said, if Rasmus leaves and we are not bringing through say Biancheri, then even with no more than 51 games - likely closer to 45, we are light on.
From your list Shappy, I would be scratching any that have had any attitude issues from that list - I don't know them, but people have mentioned Jackson Muani et al in that category.
Equally, the option we don't currently have as per a few comments is a proven goalscorer, so you can discount any that fall outside of that category.
I'm not against an older player as it will allow them to teach the likes of Obi.
I like Guirassy and Boniface, but can they cut it in the EPL?
Sesko I just don't rate from what I have seen - I think he lacks consistency.
How about a bid for Kane.

24.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 22:16:25
Good point on Toney.

Loan deal would he good.

25.) 23 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025 22:44:31
Its hard to argue against anybody as they are all better than rasmus imo.
Pros and cons for each name mentioned.
Ive seen little of ramps and less of sesko.
Im always weary of signing players from Germany as few hit the heights they had there.

Obi i'd like to see go on loan there is nobody else even close from the youth or reserve teams for cf minutes in the league.
If we don't get a buyer for rasmus I hope he goes on loan.

Hopefully your right jimbob and zirkzee can play better with cunha and mbeumo playing off him. I can see the how mbeumo in particular could benefit from zirkzees best attributes. But we need a striker scoring goals and zirkzee has a lot to prove on that front.

26.) 24 Jul 2025
24 Jul 2025 05:36:54
Not sure Ivan Toney will be the same Ivan Toney that left these shores if he come back…
We now writing players off at 29 saying they are on the decline? It’s not 1970 anymore you know, that’s ridiculous, plus we seriously need some experience and someone who knows how to score in the EPL
Rasmus, just don’t cut it in the EPL, you only have to see him screaming at people in the friendly against Leeds, when it was actually his fault, in his own head he is the best and it’s everyone else’s thought,
Zirkee whilst got great control, that’s about it, he can never play number 9 to any effect certainly not for United and certainly not in the EPL….
We seriously need a proven epl striker with some pace, even if only for 2-3 years, we need goals and NOW.

27.) 24 Jul 2025
24 Jul 2025 10:20:46
Personally speaking, I'm not 'turning up my nose at Watkins because of his age'. I'm doing it simply because he isn't good enough.
I fully understand the situation we're in and that anything must be an improvement on Hoiland (So is my long-deceased granny), but if Watkins is what we aspire to, then our problems run way deeper than we thought.

28.) 24 Jul 2025
24 Jul 2025 11:40:42
No one has ever suggested he play no9.