Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has set tongues wagging by claiming that he is set to sign a secret transfer target.
The Dutchman claims he has in his sights a striker who has not been linked with a transfer to United in the media.
Given the number of players linked with United in the media, that doesn’t leave many players. If Van Gaal is being straight, Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller and Paris Saint Germain’s Edinson Cavani – both strongly linked with moves to Old Trafford – can probably be discounted.
Liverpool-bound Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane have also been touted as United targets frequently.
So, who are the other possibilities?
Alexandre Lacazette
The Lyon striker has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, but not to United. Liverpool are among the sides touted as potential suitors.
The France international, aged 24, scored 27 goals in 31 Ligue 1 games last season. He seems the right age and profile for United.
Robert Lewandowski
While he has been linked with United, the rumours have not been persistent so it’s possible they passed by Van Gaal unnoticed.
The Poland international, aged 26, has only been at Bayern Munich for a year but is not a typical Pep Guardiola striker. Plus, the Bastian Schweinsteiger deal shows that United can lure players from the Allianz Arena, if they want to leave.
Mauro Icardi
The Inter Milan striker was rumoured to be a Chelsea target before signing a new contract at San Siro last month. He is tied to Inter until June 2019, but Roberto Mancini’s side are not the force they once were so United’s spending power could prove decisive.
A controversial figure, the 22-year-old doesn’t immediately scream ‘United player’, but he is supremely talented and his goalscoring record – 22 goals in 36 Serie A games last season – speaks for itself.
Antoine Griezmann
Like Icardi, Griezmann has been linked with a transfer to Chelsea rather than United so he fits the bill of an under-the-radar signing. The France international, aged 24, has just completed an excellent debut season with Atletico Madrid.
The former Real Sociedad man bagged 22 goals in 37 La Liga games.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Borussia Dortmund striker has spent the past two seasons with the Bundesliga side. He averages around a goal every other game and has pace to burn.
The Gabon international, aged 26, perhaps doesn’t score as many goals as Van Gaal would need from his new secret striker.
The best of the rest
Cristiano Ronaldo: This has definitely been rumoured in the past but not so much this summer. Seems unlikely.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Probably could be prised from Paris Saint-Germain, proven top quality, but wouldn’t exactly tick the box for long-term planning.
Gonzalo Higuain: Decent return for Napoli since joining from Real Madrid in 2013. But is he good enough for the very top teams?
Think you know who Van Gaal is after? Let us know by leaving a comment below…
