With just a month remaining before the Premier League kicks off, the competition to secure top strikers is heating up.
Chelsea has moved swiftly by signing Liam Delap from Ipswich and Joao Pedro from Brighton. Meanwhile, clubs like Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal are still in pursuit of their ideal forward.
With numerous clubs targeting the same players, and some even vying for identical prospects, it’s easy to lose track of the evolving transfer landscape.
BBC Sport attempts to clarify the ongoing search for standout frontmen.
Almost Off the Market
Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting)
The Sporting striker has attracted interest from multiple clubs this summer, but the 27-year-old former Coventry player may soon be unavailable. Arsenal is expected to finalize a £63.5m deal for the Swedish forward shortly, following his impressive record of 97 goals in 102 appearances in Portugal.
With Gyokeres potentially joining, Arsenal could soon conclude their search for a striker.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea have all shown interest in the Nigerian striker, but his future may soon be resolved. Napoli is currently in discussions with Turkish side Galatasaray, where Osimhen spent last season on loan, and the forward is reportedly eager to return to Turkey.
If financial terms cannot be agreed upon, other clubs may become interested, with a resolution expected in the coming days.
In the 2022-23 season, the 26-year-old helped Napoli clinch their first Italian title since 1990. Despite missing another title win this season, he had a successful loan spell at Galatasaray.
Wanted Men
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Newcastle insists Isak is not for sale, but speculation about his future continues. Liverpool is interested in the 25-year-old Swedish forward but would need to break the British transfer record to acquire him from the Magpies.
BBC Sport reports that a deal for Isak could cost up to £130m.
Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Newcastle and Liverpool have both expressed interest in the 23-year-old French striker recently. Chelsea was also seriously considering him, but with the acquisitions of Delap and Joao Pedro, they are unlikely to pursue another forward unless there are departures.
Ekitike had his best goalscoring season, netting 15 goals and providing eight assists for Frankfurt, helping them secure a third-place finish in the Bundesliga and a Champions League spot.
Newcastle's initial £70m bid was rejected by the Germans, and they do not view him as a replacement for Isak. Liverpool is also considering him among other striker options.
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Manchester United's pursuit of the Brentford forward has stalled in recent weeks. However, Old Trafford officials hope to finalize Mbeumo's transfer for over £60m before Ruben Amorim and his squad embark on their pre-season tour this weekend.
Tottenham is also interested in the 25-year-old Cameroon international but has not yet made a bid, while several Champions League clubs in Europe are closely monitoring his situation.
Yoane Wissa (Brentford)
Tottenham is also exploring a move for another Brentford forward. BBC Sport understands that the Bees are aware of their London rivals' interest in the 28-year-old, potentially reuniting him with former manager Thomas Frank, now at Spurs.
Wissa, who scored 20 goals last season, has attracted significant interest from Premier League clubs recently, with Nottingham Forest failing to sign the DR Congo international in January.
Liverpool is also monitoring Wissa's situation but has other preferred targets to consider first.
Ones to Watch
Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)
The 22-year-old Slovenian appeared to be heading to Arsenal this summer, but with Gyokeres now a priority, that move is off the table. He has also been linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool.
If Manchester United signs Mbeumo, they would need to sell to finance a potential striker acquisition. Sesko signed a five-year contract last season, and Leipzig reportedly values him at up to £85m. A move from one of Europe's top clubs later in the window remains possible.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Arsenal made a late bid for England striker Ollie Watkins in the final days of the winter transfer window, but Aston Villa refused the reported £40m offer.
Several clubs are keeping an eye on Watkins, with both Liverpool and Manchester United known admirers. Villa is not keen to sell the 29-year-old, but a substantial late bid could change their stance.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
Another striker linked with a summer move, but Crystal Palace is determined to retain him. Several clubs have shown interest in the Frenchman, but the Eagles hope he will sign a new long-term contract, with his current deal expiring in 2027.
The 28-year-old was a standout performer in Oliver Glasner's side last season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions as Palace won the FA Cup, their first major trophy.
Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)
Jackson was Chelsea's first-choice striker last season, but the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Delap raise questions about his future. The 24-year-old Senegal international scored 10 Premier League goals in 2024-25 and would likely attract significant interest if made available.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Now a free agent after his Everton contract expired this summer, Newcastle and Manchester United have been linked with the 28-year-old England forward.
Metadata:
xml