Every club would love to have the Harry Kanes, Haalands and Lewandowskis of this world at their club, but this players come at mouth-watering premiums. However, some of the best strikers in the world might not be as expensive as you think.
Nationality, age and league play a significant role in the valuation of players, which has seen some players in red hot and consistent form being priced at absurdly low fees. We have unearthed some of this bargain strikers from top leagues that your clubs should be pursuing this window.
When citing top leagues, we have only covered leagues ranked top 20 in Europe. All players are valued at €20 million or less.
Best Strikers in the World: Bargain and Cheap Edition
7. Mehdi Taremi – Porto
If no one knew who Taremi was, his wonder bicycle-kick goal against Chelsea unveiled him to the world. The 28-year-old has been directly involved in over 56 goals in the two years since moving to Europe.
A late bloomer, at least to European football, the Iranian is valued at just €12 million.
6. Haris Seferović – Benfica
Following the emergence and quick adaptation of Bruno Fernandes to the Premier League, interest in the Portuguese division have piqued to a record high. One of such recipient of foreign interest could be Benfica’s Haris Seferović.
Although not as young as the aforementioned Portuguese, the 29-year-old is the deadliest striker in the country. Seferović has however netted into double figures in three seasons in his career, which pinpoints at tinges of inconsistencies. The Swiss International has never scored double figures in consecutive seasons.
He has the best goals per minute ratio in the division, the 3rd best assists per 90, the highest direct goal contribution and the 4th best goal conversion rate. Additionally, he is the most creative forward in the Primera Liga and one of the best strikers in the world.
5. Lucas Alario – Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen are famous for grooming some of the finest forwards Germany has ever seen, but Lucas Alario deviates from that norm and trend. The 28-year-old Argentine was bagged from his home country in 2018, and has directly contributed to 10 goals in every of the four seasons he has spent in Europe.
In three of those four seasons at Bayer Leverkusen, he has had one of the highest goal per 90 excluding penalties in the Bundesliga. In addition, Alario has one of the best expected goal per 90 return in the division. Although not the tallest, Alario his a very good header of the ball.
With his contract expiring in 2022, Lucas Alario will be available for only €20 million, an affordable fee for one of the best strikers in the world.
4. Alexander Sörloth – RB Leipzig
After directly contributing to 34 league goals in 34 games, Sörloth was rated as one of the best striker in the world in 2020. Spanish giants, Real Madrid, were interested in his services, but with a simplistic and realistic perspective, the 25-year-old moved to Germany’s Leipzig.
Although it hasn’t been a woeful campaign for the Norwegian, he has not lived up to expectations, with his countryman, Erling Haaland, taking all of the plaudits. However, towards the end of the season, he has shown glimpses of the form that saw the Bundesliga outfit shell out €20 million for his services.
Any club interested in signing the striker might have to either match Leipzig’s original signing fee or better it, as Sorloth has over 4 years left on his contract.
3. Junior Messias – Crotone
Rock-bottom Crotone are guaranteed to be relegated this season except a miracle occurs. And in the aftermath of that, eagle-eyed clubs will rummage the club to salvage their prized assets, with one of those being Junior Messias.
Not a junior anymore, Messias turns 30 in May but still had enough flair, skill and ability to command a big move come the transfer period.
Messias has completed the second most dribbles in the Serie A, with a huge chunk of those being embarrassing but effective nutmegs. He has been a foul magnet from his Serie B days, where no player suffered more bone-crunching illegal tackles than him. In the Serie A, he is the 4th most fouled player in 2020/21.
A left-footed genie, Messias ranks 10th in total shots on target. Playing primarily as a second striker, the Brazilian will be available for as little as €3 million.
2. Paul Onuachu – KRC Genk
The Nigerian nightmare, Paul Onuachu has been one of the best strikers in the world in 2020/21 regardless of league. Aside the mercurial Lewandowski, no player has scored more goals than the 26-year-old this campaign.
At 6 feet 7 inches, the tallest height of any active Nigerian player, Onuachu offers a variety of options to any team in world football. He is no one season wonder also, as he has netted at least 9 goals in every season since he turned 20.
Valued at €17 million, he is definitely going to be one of the costlier players this season.
1. Alexander Sobolev – Spartak Moscow
Valued at just €9 million, Spartak’s Sobolev should be the go to player for every club in the world this transfer window. At 24 years of age, the 6 feet 3’ centre forward is yet to reach his prime yet.
The Russian has already beaten his best season tally of 10 goals scored in 2018/19. Already a Russian International, Sobolev has two goals in 5 appearances.
With the ability to shoot from distance, Sobolev is more than a regular number nine and can beat even the best of goalies.
