Manchester United Transfer News: 'World-Class Striker' Wanted, Latest Rumours

A “world-class” striker is reportedly Manchester United’s priority in the summer transfer window, as the club seeks to trigger a charge back towards the top of the Premier League. 

That’s according to Football Insider’s Wayne Veysey, who outlined the thinking behind this transfer plot. 

“United are in the market for an A-list front man as they attempt to reinforce a squad that has had a disappointing season,” he wrote. “… A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Jose Mourinho, who is set to be installed at Old Trafford at the end of the season, wants a 'world-class' forward who can score 30-plus goals a season.”

Jon Super/Associated Press

One of the forwards touted as a potential option for the Red Devils is Napoli hitman Gonzalo Higuain, who is enjoying a remarkable campaign. Veysey said United are “closely monitoring” the striker, although he’d potentially cost a whopping £74 million to prise away from Serie A. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are also said to be keeping tabs on the player.

It’s been a tremendous season for the Argentina international, who has netted 29 league goals so far. beIN Sports’ Matteo Bonetti put Higuain’s goalscoring feats into context:

Here is a look at some of those strikes:

Veysey offered some hope to United fans of this one potentially getting over the line, suggesting talks have not begun between the 28-year-old and the club over a new contract, which is set to expire in 2018.

It’s also noted in the piece that the Red Devils have Inter Milan man Mauro Icardi on their radar. While not as prolific as his compatriot Higuain, the 23-year-old is also a very talented striker and a player with the predatory instincts to make a difference at Old Trafford.

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

Here is a look at how he compares with the Napoli man in a variety of different statistical categories:

	Icardi	Higuain
Apps (Sub)	25 (1)	30
Goals	12	29
Assists	2	2
Shots per game	1.7	5.5
Key passes per game	0.8	1.5
Dribbles per game	0.3	1.5
Dispossessed per game	0.5	0.5

After a difficult beginning to the season, and a spell on the bench after the turn of the year, Icardi has rediscovered the kind of form that saw him share the Capocannoniere in 2014-15, when he netted 22 Serie A goals along with Luca Toni.

As these numbers from Squawka Football illustrate, Icardi is a natural in front of goal:

At the moment he isn’t befitting of a “world-class” moniker, though. In terms of finishing, perhaps, but in others areas of his game Icardi has a lot of work to do. 

Higuain, by contrast, is one of the best centre-forwards on the planet, performing at the absolute peak of his powers. If United want a player that can come in and make an immediate impact, the Napoli star would be perfect. But as is evident by his monster release clause, those types of strikers come at a significant premium.