Champions League Fantasy Football: Forwards for every budget

Filling up the striker spots is often the first thing managers do when assembling their squads on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation; below is a selection of attacking options covering every budget for this season's UEFA Champions League.

PREMIUM OPTIONS

Erling Haaland (€11.5m) and Kylian Mbappé (£11.5m) were the two highest-scoring forwards from a Fantasy perspective last season, so they are naturally the most expensive strikers this time around. Haaland was the 2022/23 top scorer with 12 goals, and Mbappé made ten goal contributions in his eight appearances for Paris.

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior (€11.0m) has been reclassified as a forward for the 2023/24 competition, but will remain a popular choice for Fantasy managers with the Brazilian producing an incredible 93 points last season.

Robert Lewandowski (€10.5m), scorer of 91 Champions League goals, is as tempting as ever, while Harry Kane (€10.0m), now occupying the Pole's former role at Bayern, is proving a popular Fantasy choice as Matchday 1 approaches. Victor Osimhen (€10.0m) should be given serious thought after the Napoli striker scored 31 goals in all competitions last season.

MID-PRICED OPTIONS

Coming in at €2.0m less than Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid team-mate Rodrygo (€9.0m) is a viable option having recorded five goals and two assists in the 2022/23 Champions League campaign, while Paris's summer signing Gonçalo Ramos (€9.0m) is likewise a level cheaper than his premium counterparts. Former Benfica team-mate Rafa Silva (€8.5m) may tempt some having already recorded three goals and three assists in domestic action.

Lautaro Martínez (€9.0m) had six goal involvements for Inter on the way to last season's final while UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla boast Youssef En-Nesyri (€8.5m). Among the mid-priced differentials, Donyell Malen (€7.5m) is one to consider with the Dortmund man recording three goals and two assists already this season.

Both Álvaro Morata (€7.5m) and Memphis Depay (€7.5m) have made bright starts to the season for Atlético with six goals between them, while Lazio talisman Ciro Immobile (€7.5m) will be appearing in the Champions League for the first time since 2020/21, when he scored five goals in five appearances.

BUDGET OPTIONS

Having featured more prominently for Manchester City this season, Julián Álvarez (€7.0m) is proving a popular choice for Fantasy managers and is in 10% of squads at the time of writing, while Manchester United's success in Group A could be heavily dependent on how quickly Rasmus Højlund (€7.0m) settles in at Old Trafford.

Eddie Nketiah (£6.5m) generally plays understudy to Gabriel Jesus as Arsenal's central striker, but can be dangerous when given the chance. Having already found the net twice this season, any injuries to the Gunners front line would make Nketiah an excellent budget option.

Another to watch is Bayern's Mathys Tel (€5.5m), whose versatility works in his favour when it comes to potential gametime. The 18-year-old forward has already struck twice for the Bavarian side this season.