Manchester United will be in the market for a new forward next year, having terminated Cristiano Ronaldo's contract at Old Trafford following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV.
The Red Devils had allegedly been planning to keep hold of Ronaldo for the rest of the season before signing a replacement during next summer's transfer window.
However, the club were forced to act following Ronaldo's criticism, and they could now make a big-money acquisition during the winter market.
Here, Sports Mole looks at five forwards that the 20-time English champions could target to replace the number seven, who is now looking for a new club.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
© Reuters
Lautaro Martinez's future continues to be called into question despite the fact that he signed a new deal at Inter Milan last year, with his current terms due to run until June 2026.
The 25-year-old has been in strong form for Inter this term, scoring seven goals and registering four assists in 15 Serie A outings, in addition to one goal and two assists in six Champions League outings.
Martinez made the move to San Siro from Raving Club in July 2018, and he has represented his Italian side on 202 occasions, scoring 82 goals and providing 30 assists.
It would be difficult to convince Inter to sell the Argentina international, but Man United could push for his signature next year, and they would be signing a player who is yet to realise his full potential.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
© Reuters
Victor Osimhen is believed to be Man United's leading target in the final third of the field, with the Nigeria international establishing himself as one of the top forwards in European football during his time at Napoli.
The 23-year-old has been in excellent form this season, scoring 10 goals and registering three assists in 14 appearances in all competitions.
Meanwhile, he has managed 38 goals and 12 assists in 76 games for Napoli since arriving from Lille, where he struck 18 goals in 38 appearances.
Napoli are thought to value Osimhen in excess of £80m but that is unlikely to put Man United off, with the Red Devils said to be prepared to spend big on a player who could potentially lead their attack for the next 10 years.
Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven)
© Reuters
While Cody Gakpo is not primarily a centre-forward, he has been used centrally by the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup, and he certainly has the skills to thrive in that area of the field.
The 23-year-old has been excellent for his country at the tournament in Qatar, scoring three times in four appearances, while he has been in stunning form for PSV this term.
Indeed, the attacker has 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 appearances for his Dutch club during the 2022-23 campaign, primarily playing off the left.
Gakpo held talks with Man United over the summer, and the speculation surrounding a switch to Old Trafford is gathering pace, so it would not be a shock to see him make the move to Manchester in 2023.
Jonathan David (Lille)
© Reuters
Jonathan David had a frustrating World Cup for Canada, failing to score in three appearances in the competition, but he is still rated as one of the best young forwards in world football.
The 22-year-old has been in excellent form for Lille this season, scoring nine goals and registering three assists in 15 appearances in all competitions, while he has 41 goals and eight assists in 111 games for his French club since making the move from Gent in the summer of 2020.
Lille are believed to be open to a January sale, with a recent report claiming that he could be available for around £43m in the winter market.
David would certainly be a cheaper option than both Martinez and Osimhen, but Chelsea and Arsenal are also believed to be in the running for the Canadian's signature.
Memphis Depay (Barcelona)
© Reuters
Memphis Depay is widely expected to leave Barcelona in January, with the Dutchman's contract due to expire at the end of the season.
The 28-year-old scored his first World Cup goal against the USA on Saturday, helping to send his side into the quarter-finals of the competition.
Memphis has only played three times for Barcelona this season, missing a lot of football through injury, and he is set to leave Camp Nou when the January transfer window opens for business.
A recent report claimed that the Catalan outfit would be prepared to let him leave for free next month, and Man United are said to be keen on a reunion with the Dutchman.
Memphis struggled at Old Trafford between 2015 and 2017, only scoring seven goals in 53 appearances, but he has matured as a player over the last few years, impressing for Lyon before arriving at Barcelona.
