Top 3 strikers that might define the summer transfer window
One of the most crucial aspects of the summer transfer market will already be the striker issue. There is a lot of competition among the best Premier League clubs to recruit a star number nine.
A plethora of forwards will be on the move this summer. A central striker is likely to be a desired addition to the rosters of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
We predict that the upcoming transfer window will see a lot of interest in these three strikers.
Viktor Gyokeres
- Age: 26
- Club: Sporting CP
- Contract expires: Summer 2028
Gyokeres has scored so many goals for Sporting CP that he is a star. Since joining Sporting he has netted 85 times and assisted 26 scores in his 92 appearances, leading the team to Primeira Liga victory during his previous season with them. So far in the 2024–25 season the player has participated in 26 league fixtures while netting 30 times.
Several top clubs, particularly Arsenal, evaluated his profile because of his impressive statistics.
How do they play?
Many Portuguese center defenders can’t handle Gyokeres’ speed and strength. His tendency to wander out to the flanks and then make lateral runs in behind makes him difficult to stop.
Oddly, the big and powerful lad doesn’t score many goals with his head. When he joins the team, Arsenal will have to adapt to the method of establishing play on the flanks and passing the ball down the flanks.
It’s unclear whether Gyokeres’s physical strength and goal-scoring talent can translate to the Premier League.
Why do they play this summer?
Since Gyokeres turns 27 in June, he should join a big European club immediately. Sporting may lower Gyokeres’ €100 million release clause. A €70 million charge is rumored. The decreased price makes Gyokeres a better offer.
Who is interested?
Most Premier League giants have seen Gyokeres play. He played under Ruben Amorim in Portugal, thus Manchester United makes sense. Their interest has been lukewarm thus far. They worry about Gyokeres’ price, income, and age.
Arsenal needs a new No. 9, ideally one who can make an immediate impact. New sports director Andrea Berta, a longtime Gyokeres fan, is anticipated to suggest him as a strong central striking possibility.
Berta’s efforts may not be enough to persuade Mikel Arteta, while Arsenal investigates Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko.
Alexander Isak
- Age: 25
- Club: Newcastle United
- Contract expires: Summer 2028
Here are the facts about Isak, who doesn’t need an introduction more than anyone else on this list. The Swedish attacker scored a total of 59 goals during his 101 matches as a Newcastle United player. His winning goal secured victory in the 2025 Carabao Cup final ultimately securing homeownership for the club after seven decades.
The world recognizes Isak as a top striker who already ranks among the best. His league season goal-scoring position places him as the third highest and his goals possess both purposeful punching power and remarkable artistry.
How do they play?
Isak can rotate with a winger, drop deep to connect play, dribble straight at defenders, or play off the shoulder thanks to his mobility.
Isak has also improved his ability to improvise finishes in tight situations, helping him score more poachers’ goals. Newcastle offers their striker a lot of possession freedom, so Isak may use it. He can look idle before bursting into action.
That helps him manage his workload, and Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has concentrated on his defensive duties, making him a willing participant to a pressing squad.
Why do they play this summer?
The point is that he may not be in play. Newcastle wants to retain Isak, who is contracted until 2028 and has not indicated interest in leaving.
Without Newcastle missing the Champions League, the debate concerning these players will remain. The topic is important because of Isak’s desire to play at the top level, which he hasn’t stated, and Newcastle’s financial capacity to refuse outrageous bids.
If Howe’s team finishes below the top five, other teams will smell vulnerability and try to upset the player, with a sale only possible if he wants to go.
Who is interested?
Almost every club wants a great No. 9, but cost is a barrier. Arsenal and Chelsea have long been interested in the player, with the former preferring to sign a striker this summer rather than invest in January.
Chelsea bid last July. Barcelona wants to replace Robert Lewandowski long-term, but money may prohibit them from bidding.
Despite their admiration for Isak, Liverpool’s top recruiting executives are unlikely to spend £150 million on him.
Benjamin Sesko
- Age: 21
- Club: RB Leipzig
- Contract expires: Summer 2029
Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko plays for RB Leipzig. Since turning 18, Europe’s major teams have been interested in signing him since he’s 6’5″ (195cm), fast, and can leap high enough to kick a basketball.
He has selected Leipzig as a pressure-free place to develop his uncommon features.
Why do they play this summer?
Leipzig and Sesko agree it’s time to relocate. The gentleman’s agreement last summer said Leipzig would collaborate with a €70 million proposal. Leipzig wants to trade Sesko or Openda to improve and avoid losing out on Champions League qualifying. Sesko’s youth and scoring ability make him prized.
Who is interested?
Last summer, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Newcastle United showed interest. His biggest suitor before Leipzig was Arsenal. Chelsea is a serious possibility, but Newcastle and Manchester United seem unlikely. If the teams lose out on Isak and Gyokeres, Sesko may be a backup.
What about Marcus Rashford?
While Gyokeres, Isak, and Sesko dominate the headlines, it’s impossible to ignore Marcus Rashford’s recent return to form. As noted in The Resurgence of Marcus Rashford, his impact at Manchester United could shift how some clubs approach the striker market this summer.
How do these top strikers stay fit? Professional athletes keep in shape through intense training, balanced nutrition, and proper recovery routines. Many are now getting into padel as a fun and competitive way to cross-train and stay active during the off-season. Just like in football, where the right transfer can shift a team’s fortunes, the right padel rackets could be the key to gaining that extra edge. As the dust settles on the transfer window, only time will tell which signings will ultimately tip the balance in this season’s Premier League title race.