Mauro Icardi seems to be the most rational choice right now, though he's far from a clean cut prospect with some non-sporting concerns (so caveat emptor, I guess). Bit of a departure from the Ibrahimović school of forwards - in that he isn't as good at
building things as the Swede, but he checks off a lot of other boxes: on the up at 23 years of age (24 at the start of next season) - which elevates him above Rashford (who's developing) and the likes of Silva or Dolberg (who're maybe a couple years away from the level - much like Marcus), clinical and precise with good 'back to the goal' play, works like a bulldog to lead the line, a cnut on the field too (in a good way - like maybe Tévez), and a demonstrative leader who often raises his game against strong/superior opposition.
Plus, if you consider
@Raees's post about defenders of the highest class, Juventus has (arguably) the best central defensive core in not just Serie A, but Europe - with Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini, Rugani - and Icardi has scored 7 goals in 8 games against them in the Derby d'Italia + time spent at Udinese. Including one in the most recent encounter:
“Juventus are one of my favourite teams to score goals against. However, we can’t just play one good game. We must continue like this.”
Could stand to improve his overall play/touch further (even though he's come a long way since his days as a pure Chicharito type opportunistic poacher), but in terms of raw ability - he has the striker's instinct (which you can't teach), the physical tools, and a fair bit of experience. He's starved of service at Internazionale, but would be a good fit at United given our chance creation rate over the course of the season. Reckon he could develop into a peak Higuaín type #9, except not a choker in big games/at big moments (which relegates Gonzalo to a non-upper elite level despite his productivity over the years).
