Manchester United will be on the hunt for a new striker in the summer transfer window after it became clear Edinson Cavani will leave the club when his contract expires.
Cavani joined United on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in October 2020 and has provided a useful backup option for the past 18 months. But he has struggled for game time this season and has decided to leave the club in search of new opportunities when his deal expires on July 1. Fabrizio Romano reports that his destination as a free agent will be confirmed soon.
While rarely first choice for Ralf Rangnick or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Cavani has proved a worthwhile addition at United. He has contributed 19 goals and seven assists in 55 appearances altogether and his departure will leave a hole in the squad which needs replacing.
There are further reasons for reinforcements. Cristiano Ronaldo is now 37 years old and is about to enter the final year of his United contract, while there are doubts about the futures of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial , who is currently out on loan with Sevilla. With Mason Greenwood unavailable and Anthony Elanga still finding his feet, it seems an established new striker is needed.
The search for a new manager is currently taking priority at United, but the need for a striker should not be downplayed. Here are some of the options the club should consider this summer.
Harry Kane
Kane pushed hard to leave Tottenham for Manchester City in the summer, but it now appears United might be a more likely destination. As The Mirror exclusively reported , City’s focus on Erling Haaland may have left the door open for United.
Kane will turn 29 years old and enter the final two years of his Spurs contract in July, leaving chairman Daniel Levy with a decision to make on his most prized asset. The England captain has spoken of his desire to play Champions League football – and with Spurs currently eighth in the Premier League, that is something United may be able to offer next season.
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Erling Haaland
Haaland is set to be the most in demand player in the summer transfer window, due largely to the £63million (€75m) release clause which becomes active in his Borussia Dortmund contract. Man City are understood to be leading the race for his signature, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all shown interest too.
Haaland’s credentials barely need repeating. The 21-year-old has scored 80 goals in 80 games for Dortmund and, alongside Kylian Mbappe, is firmly established as the brightest young talent in Europe. The competition may be fierce, but given his price tag, United would be foolish not to at least try and join the queue.
Alexander Isak
Real Sociedad striker Isak was strongly linked with Arsenal in the January transfer window, but ultimately stayed put. Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo reported at the time that the Gunners had a £60m offer dismissed out of hand by La Real, who have the security of a £76m buyout clause.
The 22-year-old has not yet hit the heights of last season, but does have seven goals and two assists in 30 appearances for the Spanish side so far this campaign. Isak already has plenty of international pedigree with Sweden and his overall record of 41 goals in 121 appearances for Real Sociedad is very impressive for such a young player.
Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski is the closest thing to a guarantee of goals money can buy right now. He has scored a preposterous 29 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances so far this season for Bayern Munich and could be leaving for pastures new this summer, with his contract up in June 2023.
United have been linked with the Polish international, with Lewandowski reportedly ‘surprised’ he hasn’t been offered a new deal yet, but the fact he turns 34 this summer means he would only be a short-term solution. His arrival as Cavani’s replacement would only really prolong the issue of ageing strikers at Old Trafford.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin has repeatedly been linked with a move away from Everton, but those rumours could finally come to fruition this summer, with Frank Lampard’s side under serious threat of relegation. The 24-year-old’s season has been interrupted by injury, yet he netted 16 goals in the Premier League in 2020/21 and could suit United nicely.
Everton are currently just out of the relegation zone in 17th place, but have lost their last four league matches without scoring and are now level on points with Watford below them. If the unthinkable does happen and they are relegated then the Toffees would struggle to hold onto Calvert-Lewin, who is under contract until June 2025.
Moussa Dembele
Lyon striker Dembele has been attracting attention from United this season, with the Daily Mail reporting that the club have sent scouts to watch him play recently. The 25-year-old striker is in the final 18 months of his contract and could be available for as little as £25m if Lyon decide to cash in this summer.
Dembele has nine goals in 19 Ligue 1 games this season and has Champions League experience. As a younger – and cheaper option – Dembele could be a good bet for United.
Jonathan David
David is another Ligue 1-based option for United, having put together a few consistent seasons for Lille. The 22-year-old Canada international has scored 16 goals in 36 appearances so far this season and has been linked with Arsenal and Newcastle in recent months.
David is under contract until June 2025, and with Renato Sanches and Sven Botman also attracting lots of interest, Lille may be reluctant to sell David at the end of the season too.
