15 Apr 2021 15:23:59
It was an interesting debate yesterday around possible new striker options, at one end you have your clear top-class strikers, players like Kane and Haaland. The issue is they would both cost well over 100m in fee alone, then with agent's fees, wages, and taxes the cost starts spiralling to frankly ridiculous proportions. Sadly, I think considering the other areas of the squad that need work and our more limited budget after a tough 18 months financially means that players at that level just don't seem viable.

Even player like Lautaro Martinez and DCL would probably be too expensive, with their clubs looking for fees in the 70m+ range, which seems very steep for players who are yet to prove themselves over longer than 18 months at the highest level.

The cheaper take a "punt" type strikers could be worth a look, players like Patson Daka or Odsonne Edouard. Players with big potential but could be available for under or around 30m as they haven't proven their worth in a top league.

Personally, I don't think the club will look at either the very top end, they have already started circulating stories of poverty and limited amounts of money to spend this summer. I just don't see them going big on a 100m+ player. While I doubt they would seriously spend on a player who has yet to prove themselves.

I think if the club goes into the market for a striker this summer they'll go down the middle ground, going for a player who has to an extent proven themselves in a top league, but one who isn't considered a huge star yet. Players like Andre Silva (someone I'm not keen on), Luka Jovic, or Ollie Watkins. A player who'd cost between 40-60m at most, a player who could step up, or remain a solid squad option. Whether that is the best option remains to be seen.

Personally, I'd like to see us go for Ollie Watkins. He's quick, good in the air, links play well, is creative, makes unselfish runs with clever movement and as a bonus is British which its always good for the club identity to have a solid British core. Personally, I think he's a much better player than DCL.

Of course, the club could always go in a different direction entirely and maybe sign Dybala or Benzema in a swap deal for Pogba with Juventus or Real Madrid.

1.) 15 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 16:52:40
I’m going to be contentious, Kane will be 28 in July which is about peak age for a striker, but his injury record had been iffy. He missed 17 games 2 years ago and 16 games last year. Admittedly he has only missed 3 this year but for the money involved I would be concerned.

Really don’t see Watkins being good enough, we need players who will improve us immediately, we have enough promising youngsters so we need to add a couple of top players across CB, DM, CM (if PP leaves), and CF. I doubt we will buy 4 and certainly not 4 big money ones so it will mix and match, that’s why Cavani made sense.

2.) 15 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 17:07:07
You forgot the twilight players like Mandzukic, Dzeko etc.

3.) 15 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 18:30:49
I think we need more leaders in the team as we have a relatively young squad.
Therefore an established striker and a leader like Kane fits the bill.
He is at his peak and would add great quality to our team.

4.) 15 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 18:45:33
If we can do it financially, I think Kane would be perfect. He’s at an age where he doesn’t block greenwood, McNeilll, Hugill- in fact he would be perfect for the three of them to learn from.

5.) 15 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 19:35:02
Is Haaland already a top class forward? I would go with Kane if his injuries are not a problem. If we can't buy Kane then there in no reason to pay a big fee for an "average" striker like Belotti. Go with someone like Ings as stop gap and save the money for Bellingham.

6.) 15 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 21:00:09
100% Kane would be the best option for a striker.

But he would cost a minimum of 150m, and that's if Levy would even consider selling to us.

That would mean no other signings this summer, it would probably mean selling several players to make money to finance the deal.

No new CB.

No new CDM.

No new RW.

No new back up keeper.

We would probably have to sell several players who could recoup big fees. DDG, Pogba and Martial would all likely have to be sold.

7.) 15 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 21:55:19
sounds OK to me.

8.) 15 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 22:14:01
For 150 millions i would say no Shappy. I don't think a center forward is priority. So i would go with a stop gap and improve the team in other areas like cb rw.

9.) 16 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 23:49:04
I think Kane screwed that up when he signed a new contract. Gave Levy all the power for a big increase in wages no doubt.

If Kane is not happy with Spurs direction then he has pretty much made his bed now. I would be surprised if Levy would sell to us.

He would be my dream signing though for this team.

10.) 16 Apr 2021
15 Apr 2021 23:49:15
I think Martial is better than many listed including Watkins and DCL. Kane, Haaland or Ronaldo for me or stick with what we have.

If there is a limited budget I'd focus on Martial and Greenwood. We Hugill and McNeil knocking on the door.

11.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 05:02:26
I think if Cavani decides to stay we will go again with the strikers we have with maybe Greenwood seeing more play in that role alongside Cavani and Martial.
Haaland would be great but he won't come due to agents view of the club.
Kane would be perfect for next few years but Levy has been adamant he will not be sold to PL club.
We have holes all over that will be more pressing.
If Cavani leaves then I can see another short term option coming in.

12.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 06:43:58
Utd Road, 100% Martial has more talent than many of those listed, yet this season he has scored less than HALF the number of goals that either DCL or Watkins have scored, while he plays in a better team that in spite of what most of us feel have actually created more chances than either Villa or Everton.

Someone like Watkins might not ever be capable of the peaks that Martial is capable of. Those individual moments of brilliance. However, he will be a solid 7 out of 10 every week, he will always work hard and leave 100% out on the pitch. While his hard work and selfless attitude will make space and create more quality chances for players like Rashford, Greenwood and Bruno around him. Elevating their performances.

That's the issue with team play, having a team full of Galcticos means you have the most talent on the pitch, but they don't always work well together.

13.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 07:25:05
What's the point in buying a striker at the sort of money Kane etc would cost. In fact what's the point in buying in any striker, even a free agent? We have Cavani, arguably still one of the best operators out there. How many chances do our players provide for him? No matter who you put up top he will still only get X amount of chances provided by this team. Spend the money elsewhere in my opinion.

{Ed077's Note - Kane is quite good at creating chances for himself, and others. But I do think the likes of Haaland and Jovic would struggle to score anywhere near the amount of goals they have in the Bundesliga.}

14.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 07:32:18
Martial is no galactico he is a clown.

15.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 08:03:55
I think when it down to money, finding a buyer for Martial and wanting to keep Greenwood developing we either keep Cavani or go with what we have.

Ollie Watkins isn't Dwight Yorke level, maybe one day but he needs another 2 seasons. Micheal Ricketts had one good EPL season and a England cap.

16.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 08:59:49
Scooby, I 100% agree. I've said that if it were up to me I'd sign a creative RW long before we sign a ST.

I also have reservations about spending a huge amount on a young striker when we have Greenwood doing well in the first team and showing glimpses that he might be ready for a bigger role. Along with Hugill and McNeil in the academy showing huge potential.

Do we really need a 22 year old striker who'll be first choice for the next 10 years?

Had it not been for his injury I'd say Raul Jimenez would have been an ideal signing. 29 years old, EPL proven, style of play would suit our team. However, his injury and how well he returns from it have yet to be seen.

17.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 09:12:13
Cristiano as CF would be a super expensive but an amazing signing.
Cristiano would score 30-35 goals given his excellent movement and finishing.
Don't think we'd be ambitious enough to pull this off.

18.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 09:33:02
Blimey. Shappy agreed with me. Feels like winning the internet for a day 🤣🤣🤣.

19.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 11:18:11
Agreed with you in 7 paragraphs but disagreed with you in 9 paragraphs it was to hard to determine who he was agreeing with in the other 6 paragraphs. Not even sure he agrees with himself in those 🤣🤣.

20.) 16 Apr 2021
16 Apr 2021 22:15:31
🤣🤣🤣.