Manchester United could bring a new centre-forward to Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window, despite re-signing club legend Cristiano Ronaldo last year.
Ronaldo's role in the team continues to be questioned, but he has scored 14 times in 21 appearances for the Red Devils this term and has a contract until at least the end of next season.
There will be a lot of changes in the first-team squad over the next two transfer windows, though, with Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani among those set to leave, so it would not be a surprise to see the 20-time English champions freshen their attack ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
With that in mind, Sports Mole picks out three strikers that Man United could target during this summer's transfer window, as the club attempt to return to former glories.
Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
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Erling Braut Haaland is set to be at the centre of a fierce transfer battle this summer, with the Norway international expected to have a £63m release clause in his Dortmund contract at the end of the season.
Manchester City, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also interested in the 21-year-old, and it will be fascinating to see which club wins for the race for his signature.
Haaland has again been in sensational form for BVB during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 19 times and registering five assists in 16 appearances, while he has contributed 76 goals and 20 assists in 75 outings for the Bundesliga giants since making the move from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.
The Norwegian is just the type of player that Man United should be targeting to help them get closer to the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League, and it would be a serious statement of intent if they managed to beat a number of major clubs to his signature.
Haaland is thought to be leaning towards a move to Real Madrid, though, and the Red Devils seemingly face an uphill task to convince the forward that he could win regular silverware at Old Trafford in the coming years, as the club continue to go through a transitional period.
Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
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Dusan Vlahovic has, relatively quickly, emerged as one of the leading forwards in European football, scoring 21 times in all competitions for Fiorentina last season, while he has also been in excellent form this term.
Indeed, the Serbia international has scored 18 goals in 22 outings, including 16 in 20 Serie A fixtures, and his form has not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus among the clubs believed to be keen on his signature during this summer's transfer window.
The 21-year-old could actually end up being more expensive than Haaland, with Fiorentina placing a high price on their star player, but his contract with the Italian club is due to expire in June 2023, so they are not in a strong position when it comes to negotiating a transfer fee.
It seems likely that Vlahovic will be on the move during this summer's transfer window, and it will be interesting to see whether any of the major clubs decide to focus on the Serbian rather than Haaland, particularly if it becomes clear that the Norwegian will be making the move to Real Madrid.
Vlahovic won three major trophies during his time with Partizan and has gone from strength to strength over the last 18 months, so a move to a leading European club appears probable in the not too distant future.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
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Robert Lewandowski's goal record at Bayern is staggering, with the Poland international scoring 324 goals in 354 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, including 30 in 25 matches in all competitions this term.
The 33-year-old remains, arguably, the best centre-forward in world football, but there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future, with suggestions that he wants a new challenge at this stage of his career.
Lewandowski is believed to be interested in a move to the Premier League, and while he is not a long-term option for Man United, he brings a guarantee of goals, at least for a couple more seasons.
The Pole will be 34 at the start of next season but like Ronaldo, has kept himself in incredible shape, so it would not be a shock to see him still playing at a high level for the next three or four years.
A serial winner, Lewandowski would certainly bring a big-game mentality to Old Trafford, but there will be a host of other clubs interested in his signature if it becomes clear that a Bayern exit is possible, and a move to Allianz Arena for Haaland could open the door for Lewandowski to move on this summer.
Matt Law
