Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal recently gave a statement talking about a “secret striker” the club were in the market for that would “surprise everyone” this summer, which has rumoured to be Juventus’ out of-favour striker Fernando Llorente. Such news is yet to be verified, but nevertheless it would be an underwhelming signing for an important position considering the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger has not long come through the door. So what striker should Louis van Gaal be looking at for United?
Paris Saint-German’s Edinson Cavani is a name that continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford every summer. The prolific South American forward has notched impressive goal tallies in the last few years with the French Ligue 1 side, but he has continued to play down talk of a move away from the Parc des Princes. 18 goals in 30 league starts last season has many sides interested in his signature, let alone the seven consecutive campaigns that has seen Cavani hit 13 goals or more in the respective division.
Manchester United are desperate for a prolific goalscorer in their side to compliment Wayne Rooney in the attack, with only Javier Hernandez and James Wilson as viable options should the England international succumb to injury. The departures of Danny Welbeck, Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie has put the pressure on manager Van Gaal to find a new goalscorer with only weeks left until the new season starts.
As or other striker options, Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain is another long-term target, as is Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema. A player like Llorente is very one dimensional due to his physique, but does have the qualities to be an effective player for Manchester United this season. The Red Devils boss has added real creativity and technical quality with his summer signings, so their strikers are expected to get great service most every week.
Llorente is available for transfer this summer, with Italian Serie A side Juventus deeming him surplus to requirements given the talented forwards brought in ahead of the new season. The 30-year-old has long made an impression on United ever since Bilbao beat the Red Devils in Europe, and this summer could be the time Van Gaal puts in a concrete offer. Supporters are unsure how to greet the news, but given the experienced striker has bagged 23 league goals in 54 starts since making the move from Bilbao to Juventus, Fernando Llorente could be an astute acquisition.
