Manchester United’s summer hunt for a new striker is growing increasingly complicated. With several targets already snapped up by rivals and unexpected moves reshaping the transfer landscape, the pressure is mounting on the club’s recruitment team to act decisively — or risk being left behind once again.
Missed Chances: Delap, Gyökeres, and Ekitike
What began as a long shortlist of potential strikers has quickly dwindled. United were early admirers of Liam Delap, viewing his £30 million release clause as a bargain for a young forward with Premier League experience. But Chelsea swooped in first, luring him with the promise of Champions League football and more immediate minutes.
The focus then shifted to Viktor Gyökeres, who had just come off a prolific season in Portugal. Yet again, United were too slow — Arsenal are now close to finalizing a deal, with personal terms nearly agreed.
As if that wasn’t enough, Hugo Ekitike, long monitored by United scouts, was snapped up by Liverpool in a blockbuster £79 million transfer, eliminating yet another top-tier name from the market.
Isak Wants Out – But United Not in the Picture
Further complicating matters is the latest development at Newcastle, where Alexander Isak has reportedly requested a transfer. While United won’t be his destination, the domino effect of his exit could significantly alter the striker market.
According to TBR Football, Liverpool are preparing to go as high as £150 million to sign the Swedish star — a move that would not only shift the balance of attacking firepower in the Premier League but also inject Newcastle with serious cash to reinvest.
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey confirmed that while Isak has no interest in joining United, the implications of his departure could still impact their plans:
“Isak is exploring his options — does that include Manchester United? Unfortunately not. But let’s not rule out the ramifications for United here.”
Newcastle Threaten to Hijack United’s Targets
With a potentially massive war chest from Isak’s sale, Newcastle are expected to enter the striker market aggressively — and United should be concerned. Bailey names Benjamin Šeško, Ollie Watkins, and Nicolas Jackson as possible replacements Newcastle could pursue — all players that have been linked with United at various points this year.
If Newcastle decide to go after those names, United could quickly find themselves outbid, outpaced, and outmanoeuvred. Clubs selling to Newcastle will also know they’re dealing with a side suddenly flush with cash, likely raising asking prices and dragging out negotiations.
Ineos Must Learn from the Mbeumo-Wissa Scenario
With INEOS now overseeing the club’s transfer operations, there is cautious optimism that deals will be approached with more structure. But the clock is ticking.
A recent flashpoint came with Bryan Mbeumo. When Newcastle submitted a formal offer for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, United rushed to complete a move for Mbeumo within 24 hours, fearing they’d miss out on both. It was a knee-jerk reaction that, while successful, highlighted a worrying trend: reacting instead of leading.
If a similar pattern emerges with United’s striker search, they risk being forced into panic buys — or worse, ending the window without a proper centre-forward solution.
Final Thoughts
Manchester United’s striker dilemma is no longer just about picking the right player — it’s about timing, leverage, and staying ahead of rivals. The exits and movements of key forwards like Isak are triggering a cascade of activity across the league, and United must move from reactive to proactive if they hope to sign the elite-level striker their squad desperately needs.
With the list of available top-tier forwards shrinking by the day, the pressure on INEOS and the club’s recruitment team is immense. The margin for error is slim — and the consequences of inaction could be felt well into the 2025/26 season.
