Back in January, we took a look at the hottest striker moves of the winter. Now? The summer window is open, deals are already flying in, and the forward market is hotter than ever. With Matheus Cunha already done and dusted to Manchester United, every top club is scrambling to find the next No.9. From wonderkids to proven poachers, here are 21 strikers who could define the 2025 summer transfer window and probably your fantasy football season too. Let’s get stuck into it!
1. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
Boniface has been a revelation in Germany, blending brute force with surprising finesse. Newcastle are long-term admirers, especially as they eye a replacement and back up to the lethal Isak. But Saudi clubs are circling, offering Boniface a life-changing payday. For Newcastle, this is a test of ambition – can they outbid oil money despite being oil money themselves (people seem to forget Newcastle and Saudi are one in the same) and promise silverware? If Boniface stays in Europe, he could be one of the marquee striker signings of this window.
2. Antony (Manchester United)
Ten Hag’s man, but Amorim isn’t having it. United are actively pushing Antony toward the exit, and while Betis are keen, they lack the funds for a permanent deal. An icon already in Seville, Antony has scored nine goals and five assists in 25 matches for Betis, though the impact he’s made stretches well beyond the numbers. A loan with an option or obligation to buy is the likeliest outcome, and if United eat part of his wages, Spain could revive him. Antony needs a reset and United need the wage room. A deal that suits with Betis could suit all parties, but there will be other interest including Atletico Madrid. Basically, expect Antony in La Liga next year, but who knows where.
3. Liam Delap (Ipswich)
The £30m release clause was activated with little hesitation by Chelsea, who see Delap as a long-term centrepiece. After years of stop-gap strikers, the Blues are backing youth as seems to be the Clearlake policy: buy them young, put them on lifetime contracts and hope to good god they haven’t bought another Mudryk. Delap’s style is a throwback – physical, relentless, and always sniffing for chances. With Maresca wanting a functional No.9 to press and link play, Delap is poised to be a day-one starter. Let’s just hope for his sake as a potential future Ireland International (we hope) that Chelsea don’t do to him what they have done to plenty of promising forwards down the years and run him into the ground.
4. Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea)
He was supposed to be the versatile kingpin of Chelsea’s attack, but injuries and inconsistency have derailed that dream. With Delap arriving, Nkunku could be sacrificed. Arsenal see him as a rotation option for the left-sided role, while Villa are keen to use him in the hole. If Chelsea get a solid offer or even a swap deal, they’ll cash in to rebuild elsewhere. Possibly one to watch in the middle pack draft rounds next year if he gets the right move.
5. Rayan Cherki (Lyon)
One of the most technically gifted young forwards in Europe, Cherki has reached the point where Ligue 1 is too small. Anyone who saw him play in the Harry Maguire masterclass game earlier this year knows it. Real Madrid and Dortmund have had him on their radar for months, but Man City are ready to pounce and by all accounts a verbal agreement is in place. But a verbal agreement and football, let’s see where this goes but it sure looks like Cherki and Harry will be catching up on the opposite sides of Manchester next year. They see him as a long-term heir to Mahrez or even a Bernardo Silva successor. Expect fireworks if this one gets done early.
6. Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
It feels like Coman has been around forever, but he’s only 28 and still one of the fastest wingers in Europe. He’s only missed out on one league title in his career . No, seriously, only once in 2023-24 has he failed to finish top of the league over the course of his career — and now Bayern are reportedly open to letting him go. Arsenal see him as a high-pedigree rotation option, Barcelona want him to replace Raphinha, and Saudi clubs are lining up the chequebooks. Whoever lands him gets experience, pace, and a winning mentality. Baller… that is all.
7. Jonathan David (Lille)
Few forwards are as efficient and consistent as David. His goal tally speaks for itself — 109 goals in five seasons — and with his contract now expired, he’s the ultimate free agent prize. Napoli are leading, but nearly every Premier League club has asked the question. With elite movement, finishing, and intelligence, he could be the biggest bargain of the window. David has been linked with a move to the Premier League for the past two seasons but the price has always been a sticking point. Manchester United and Tottenham have reportedly shown interest, while Serie A giants AC Milan are also in the race. Where this lad ends up is anyone’s guess.
8. Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
For the second-successive summer, Luis Diaz’s future is up for debate. The Colombian was heavily linked with Barcelona 12 months ago, but after the Catalans failed to raise the funds for a bid,. Diaz’s numbers speak volumes — 18 goal contributions during Liverpool’s title-winning run — but his long-term role under Arne Slot is unclear. Al-Nassr are ready to make him their next marquee player, especially if Ronaldo exits. Liverpool may be tempted to sell if they can fund two new signings with the fee. Keep an eye on Barca too, but Saudi cash talks loudest.
9. Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Ekitike stepped out of Mbappe’s shadow by leaving PSG and made Frankfurt his stage, racking up 34 combined goals and assists. The former-Paris Saint-Germain forward fired Eintracht to a third-placed finish in the Bundesliga, so he’s got a bit about him. A tall, fast, and skilful striker with a real eye for goal, he’s now a top-tier target. Chelsea like his versatility while Liverpool admire his link-up play. Frankfurt know they’re sitting on a goldmine and will want €60m+ for him. A bidding war is brewing. There’s a bang of Liverpool off him so watch this space.
10. Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
Tensions with Amorim and a benching in the Europa League final appear to have sealed Garnacho’s fate. The talent is undeniable — electric pace, two-footed dribbling, and a big-game mentality. Chelsea and Napoli want him, and Al-Nassr are lurking with a huge offer. With United’s PSF pressure, this could be a high-profile exit by mid-July. The Argentinian winger came close to leaving Old Trafford back in January when both Chelsea and Napoli showed interest in signing him, and both could come back in again now United’s negotiating position has been weakened. He’s probably on the way out of Old Trafford, but is he a worthwhile addition to your draft line-up with the right transfer?
11. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Dortmund)
One of a host of English players who impressed on foreign soil during the 2024-25 campaign, Jamie Gittens has developed into a dangerous winger for Borussia Dortmund after arriving from Manchester City’s academy. Another graduate of the Jadon Sancho school of Bundesliga breakout stars. Gittens has developed into a lethal wide threat and is now on the radar of Premier League clubs looking for homegrown flair. Dortmund will sell for the right price, and Chelsea and Arsenal see him as a high-upside gamble worth taking. Could be the first domino in a wider winger reshuffle.
12. Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP)
Viktor Gyokeres is almost certain to leave Sporting CP this summer. The only real doubt lies over where he will end up. With 54 goals across all competitions, Gyökeres since leaving Coventry has exploded. He combines brute strength with elite hold-up play and clinical finishing. Sporting have named their price: €70m. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea all want him, but he’s not going cheap. This is the blockbuster striker move of the summer — and whoever lands him gets a certified 20-goal forward. He’s a baller, he’s a goalscorer, but major word to the wise here, the last 2 big name forwards to come from Portugal? Darwin Nunez and João Félix. Make of that what you will.
13. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
For the second-straight summer it looks as if Brentford will be forced to part with their attacking lynchpin, as Bryan Mbeumo edges towards following Ivan Toney out of Brentford. Another gem from the Brentford machine, Mbeumo quietly had one of the best seasons in the Premier League: 20 goals, 7 assists, and countless clutch moments. United are desperate for direct attacking threat and see Mbeumo as the ideal replacement for Sancho or Garnacho. Brentford won’t let him go easily (they never do) but all signs here lead to Old Trafford.
14. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool)
Darwin is the current player getting the treatment normally reserved for Phil Jones and Harry Maguire, he’s the fall guy, the failed forward, Captain Chaos if you will. He’s got the chaos gene, and fans love him — but five league goals just isn’t good enough, in fact it’s piss poor and his time in England is surely at an end, it simply hasn’t worked out. Al-Hilal are circling and Liverpool are weighing up whether to cut their losses. At 25, he still has resale value, but a big Saudi offer could tempt the Reds to cash in and buy someone more clinical.
15. Victor Osimhen (Napoli → Galatasaray)
Victor Osimhen was arguably the biggest loser of the 2024 summer transfer window. The Nigeria international was meant to join one of Europe’s elite clubs so what happened here? Osimhen was meant to join a superclub last year instead, he ended up in Turkey. Still elite, still powerful, and still capable of leading a top European line. He may try to force a move again, but bridges burned last year and a rumoured high salary could limit his options. One to monitor throughout the window.
16. João Pedro (Brighton)
Joao Pedro’s return of 25 goals over the course of his two seasons at Brighton has led to him being linked with bigger clubs in the past, and we all know he’s got goals, but his Brighton exit looks inevitable after an alleged training-ground bust-up. Aston Villa and Newcastle see him as a smart rotational option. If Pedro rediscovers his best form, he’s a 15-goal striker. His next club just might be getting a steal.
17. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
The question around Marcus Rashford isn’t whether he will leave Manchester United this summer, but rather how much the Red Devils will get. Rashford’s United chapter is coming to a close unless something demented happens in the coming weeks. Amorim has no interest in keeping him, and United want around £40m. Barcelona like the idea, but they are still skint, and a return to Champions League football may reignite his form. A key storyline to follow — especially if United need to sell fast.
18. Jadon Sancho (Manchester United/Chelsea)
Chelsea are exploring a way out of the £20m obligation to buy. In fact they are spending 5m to send him back to the Theatre of Dreams with tail between his legs because they couldn’t agree on his salary. Sadly a story of a career wasted by greed, a poor attitude all sandwiched between fleeting moments of magic that make you wonder, what if?. United don’t want him back, but Al-Nassr and Inter are sniffing around. It’s a sad fall for a once-prized talent, but to be honest if his social media carry on is anything to go by, any elite club would do well to avoid like the plague.
19. Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
Sane is yet to commit his future to Bayern and is now just weeks away from becoming a free agent. The German outfit are still in talks with the ex-Manchester City winger in a bid to keep him at the Allianz Arena, and in fairness, he is one of the Bundesliga’s best on his day. Arsenal and PSG have made contact, while Inter are ready to pounce if he walks for free. Expect this one to go right to the wire. We would love to see him back in the prem so let’s wait and see – expect a Bayern contract resolution to dampen what would otherwise be a great story.
20. Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig)
The feeling was that the much-touted Benjamin Sesko would join one of Europe’s elite clubs last summer. Signed a new contract last summer solely so Leipzig could raise his value, but a €65m offer gets him. Arsenal are in the lead, but United and Milan are hovering. Still raw, still rising, but a ceiling as high as anyone on this list. Right now, the Gunners are said to be leading the race for Sesko’s signature. Don’t be surprised if he’s the new Arsenal front man next year.
21. Evan Ferguson (Brighton → West Ham loan)
Ferguson has disappeared off the radar at Brighton of late, and his loan at West Ham did little to revive his career, but time is on his side. Strikers are in particularly short supply this summer. Once dubbed Ireland’s Haaland, Ferguson’s career has stuttered, but he’s still only 20. A poor West Ham loan hasn’t helped his rep, but Palace, Everton, Fulham and Roma are sniffing. Brighton may sell cheap. Don’t be shocked if he blows up in a new system.
Final Word: Keep Your Eyes on the Window
The striker market is heating up, with clubs across Europe and the Premier League looking for their next star forward. Whether it’s a blockbuster summer move or a finding a young talent, expect plenty of movement in the coming months. There’s more we could have mentioned to like Mateta, Mitrovic, Watkins, Isak, Wissa and even CR7 himself all available this summer, but we tried to stick to the most likely to be on their bikes this summer. With PSF panic, Saudi money, and clubs trying to get their business done early, this window is shaping up to be one of the best in a long time. Whether you’re tracking your team’s next No.9 or prepping for your draft, these names matter.
Which of these players do you think will be the next big signing? Let us know in the comments! And as always, we are heading towards a public launch of Statrdraft for next season, so get on that waiting list to be the first to play Fantasy Football the Statr way!
Jon Harrison, June 2025
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