PREMIER LEAGUE sides are spoilt rotten with options if they are looking for a proven striker with European experience.
Out of favour Barcelona star Luis Suarez, former Chelsea flop Gonzalo Higuain, unattached Edinson Cavani and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa have all been linked with shock moves to the Premier League.
But which out of the experienced veterans would be the best bet for an English side?
SunSport delves into some of the key stats surrounding the four.
Suarez is far and away the most successful in front of goal, the Uruguayan has bagged an impressive 406 club goals in his career.
But the former Anfield favourite has been brutally axed by new Barca boss Ronald Koeman.
A move that is thought to have riled wantaway superstar Lionel Messi – with the pair close pals and often snapped together.
There’s no doubt Suarez can still mix it with the big boys.
Despite being 33 years old, the ex-Ajax striker bagged 21 goals and 12 assists in all comps last season.
The only risk factor is his recent injury record, he spent a staggering 26 weeks on the sideline last campaign.
Higuain has already had one ill-fated spell in England with the Blues but could be set for another stab at glory after proving to be surplus to requirements at Juventus.
And Barca have reportedly rejected a sensational striker swap of Higuain for Suarez.
Higuain, 32, has bagged 306 goals in his career but only managed 11 strikes and eight assists last term.
The former Napoli man does seem to be less injury-prone, only spending five weeks rehabbing.
Fulham, Newcastle, Wolves and Arsenal have all been mentioned in talks surrounding the Argentine’s next club.
Cavani was strongly linked with a move to Leeds to spearhead Marcelo Bielsa’s side’s return to the Premier League.
However, the Elland Road faithful’s dreams were in tatters when Cavani, who left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract, looked to be arriving at Benfica.
But a deal sensationally collapsed and he could still make his bow in England at the ripe old age of 33.
Suarez’s international team-mate has slammed home a phenomenal 341 goals in his glittering career, but managed only ten goal involvements (seven goals, three assists) last term.
Another former Chelsea player, Costa, was also limited to ten involvements (five goals and assists) in his most recent season during a second stint at Atleti.
Both Cavani and Costa spent similar time out crocked – 17 weeks and 15 weeks.
Yet Premier League bosses know Costa can mix it in the league after proving to be a menace for opposition sides while at Stamford Bridge.
The least prolific on goal, bagging only 179 goals, Costa has other skills and his hold-up play and physical presence up front is said to be interesting Spurs.
The youngest of the four aged 31, Costa is reportedly “open” to reuniting with Jose Mourinho at Tottenham.
The North London side are said to have reservations over his fitness and age but Mourinho is keen to add another striker and therefore the Spain international could well make a return to the capital.
Barcelona reject swap transfer of Luis Suarez for Gonzalo Higuain after Juventus propose amazing striker exchange
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
