Spurs, Man Utd & Chelsea in the market for strikers!

Injuries to Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Tammy Abraham have left Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea with a shared interest in acquiring the services of a new centre-forward in the remaining few days of the January transfer window. 

Despite a talented supporting cast from midfield, Spurs lack a focal point without Kane. United are paying the price for not replacing the departed Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez in the summer. Meanwhile Frank Lampard's young side have been relying far too much on Abraham's goals in his maiden season leading the line at this level.

With all 3 clubs toiling in their respective pursuits of Champions League qualification, here's a look at some of the strikers who could fire them to that coveted top 4 spot:

Edinson Cavani 

The Positives

The most experienced and proven candidate. Cavani has been top scorer in both Serie A and Ligue 1. He's scored half a century of goals for his country. Having just handed in a transfer request at PSG, this would seem a no-brainer for top clubs in England 

The Negatives

Goes completely against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's ethos of promoting youth at Manchester United. Cavani will be 33 in a matter of weeks. United have had bad recent experiences with aging forwards like Sanchez and Radamel Falcao. Chelsea and former boss Jose Mourinho - now at Tottenham - know all about formerly great strikers past their sell-by-date. Remember Fernando Torres and Andriy Shevchenko? 

Raul Jimenez

The Positives

For so long unheralded, Jimenez has developed into one of the best strikers in England. At 28, he is in his prime and would offer experience alongside the younger Rashford & Abraham. He's perhaps not the 30-goal a season striker that Kane is but makes up for it with hard work and a team ethic. Proven himself in the Premier League for a couple of seasons now

The Negatives

Having never really been the main man at more glamourous clubs like Atletico Madrid or Benfica, Jimenez seems to have found his niche at Wolves with a system and style that suits him perfectly. He would likely have to adapt his game to play one for one of these bigger clubs - would he be able to make the step up?

Krzysztof Piątek

The Positives

“Il Pistolero” burst onto the world scene last season where he couldn't stop scoring goals for both Genoa and then AC Milan. He has also netted in half of his appearances for his country Poland. Has drawn comparisons with Robert Lewandowski and at 24, still can develop further.

The Negatives

The goals have dried up rapidly for Piatek this season and some of his performances have even drawn jeers from the AC Milan fans. Was he just a flash in the pan?

Luka Jovic

The Positives 

A precocious young talent who took the Europa League by storm last season. Led an unfancied Eintracht Frankfurt side to within a couple of penalty kicks of the final. Caught the eye of Real Madrid and was earmarked as the long-term replacement for Karim Benzema.

The Negatives

Has failed to nail down a regular place at Real Madrid where he has netted just one goal since his summer move there. Was he ready to take on the responsibility of leading the line at a big club? It would also likely be a loan move at best.

Timo Werner

The Positives

At 23 years of age, he already has a wealth of experience with numerous records broken at both Stuttgart and RB Leipzig. Won the Golden Boot in the 2017 Confederations Cup with Germany. Is currently operating on an average of almost a goal a game this season.

The Negatives

Went to Russia as Germany's main centre-forward in their ill-fated World Cup 2018 campaign. Failed to make an impression on the biggest of stages after much hype.

Willian Jose

The Positives

A name from leftfield who is currently heavily linked with a move to Spurs. A consistent goalscorer for Real Sociedad over the past few years and was once on the books at Real Madrid.

The Negatives

Still yet to receive a cap for his country at the age of 28 - in a period when Brazil have been crying out for a quality centre-forward. Failed to break into the first team at Real Madrid and has no experience of the pressures of performing at a big club. 

Moussa Dembele

The Positives

Another fine young talent who made his name at Fulham – so he has experience of the English game. Also played for a number of years at Celtic where he collected numerous medals and learned what it was to be a winner. A prolific goal-scorer wherever he’s been.

The Negatives

Surprised many by moving to Lyon when several European giants were linked with him – the transfer seemed to lack real ambition. Questions over his temperament and the way he forced the move from Celtic. 

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