A few days ago, The Telegraph revealed that we’d backed off from moves for Moussa Diaby and Alexander Isak, with asking prices and wage demands proving too much.
We appear determined to bring in a new striker AND right winger in what remains of the summer transfer window, but doing that is easier said than done when Eddie Howe has a reported £50m left to spend on two key areas of the field.
Here’s a few attackers – a mixture of strikers and suitable right wingers – who we feel would be realistic, affordable and good enough to improve us in the attacking third:
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea)
With Raheem Sterling arriving at Stamford Bridge, the 21-year-old’s first team prospects under Thomas Tuchel have gone from bad to worse.
He’s direct, capable of playing down either flank and in need of a new home. Eddie Howe could help get the best out of the forgotten England international, who may cost around half the £60m fee we’ve been quoted for Diaby.
Alternatively, the Blues may consider a loan – which would free up funds for us to sign a striker – if they’re not ready to cash in just yet?
Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo)
Stood out at Euro 2020 and has just enjoyed an outstanding season in Serie A, weighing in with 15 goals and 17 assists for mid-table side Sassuolo.
At 27, he’s a little older than some of the options we’ve been exploring, but this is a player in his prime and someone who’s already stated he’s “ready to move” this summer.
Ismaila Sarr (Watford)
The Watford winger ticks a lot of boxes – bags of pace, still only 24 and has played in the Premier League before and is naturally right-sided.
The Senegalese has bagged 24 goals and 18 assists in 92 appearances for the Hornets and could be available at a cut-price fee, with some suggesting that £20-£25m might be enough to tempt the recently relegated side into a sale.
Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
The 6ft 4′ forward is capable of playing anywhere across the front three, meaning he could cover a few of the areas Eddie Howe appears eager to bolster.
Injuries hampered his form over the 2021/22 campaign, but with 25 goals and 21 assists over his previous two seasons at Borussia Mönchengladbach and all the physical attributes to be a hit in the Premier League, this is a move that could make sense.
Sasa Kalajdzic (Stuttgart)
Entering the final 12 months of his contract with Stuttgart and could be available for around £20m, according to reports in Germany.
The giant Austrian surprisingly mobile for his 6ft 7′ frame and has bagged an impressive 22 goals and eight assists in 44 Bundesliga appearances, also being a good age after only just turning 25.
Moussa Dembele (Lyon)
A former teammate of Bruno Guimaraes’ who ended the 2021/22 season as the third top scorer in France, netting 21 times in 30 appearances.
Lyon finished 8th last term, so the lack of European football combined with the fact he’s entering the last 12 months of his contract make this a deal we could get done at a decent price.
A good age at 26 and one to keep an eye on, even if some of the best online casino sites seem to think he’ll run down his deal and leave on a free next summer.
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kimtoon(Quote)