Best FPL Forwards at Each Price Point for the 2025/26 Season

The 2025/26 season has already seen a flurry of forward transfers – Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool, João Pedro to Chelsea, Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal and now Benjamin Šeško to Manchester United, with more movement possible as question marks linger over Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa. Despite the “big at the back” and “big in midfield” trends fuelled by CBIT/CBITR premiums, having at least two reliable forwards remains essential. Whether you’re hunting for a budget enabler or a premium captaincy pick, understanding each price bracket is key to building a balanced squad. Here’s the breakdown.

This is fourth and the last part of the Price Point Series. In case you have missed it, Checkout the first 3 parts of the price point series:

Best FPL Goalkeepers at Each Price Point for the 2025/26 Season
Best FPL Defenders at Each Price Point for the 2025/26 Season
Best FPL Midfielders at Each Price Point for the 2025/26 Season

Link to all our 2025/26 Pre-Season articles including all team pre-season friendly updates, team previews, fixture analysis, position-wise analysis, differentials, players to target, budget enablers and more. Completely free to access as well!

FPL Forwards to Target at Every Price Point for 2025/26 Season:

Best £4.5m FPL Forwards

Marc Guiu – Sunderland

Guiu stands out as the most appealing budget forward option at £4.5m. The 19-year-old arrives from Chelsea in search of regular minutes after being blocked by Nicolas Jackson and new signing Liam Delap. Physically mature and technically sharp, Guiu netted six goals in last season’s UEFA Europa Conference League and already looks ready for senior football. Sunderland’s existing forwards, Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor, will provide competition, but his talent should earn him opportunities. For managers seeking a cheap bench filler who might chip in with returns, Guiu is the safest bet in this bracket.

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Eli Junior Kroupi – Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s new signing boasts a remarkable scoring record for his age. At just 19, Kroupi struck 22 goals in 30 Ligue 2 matches for Lorient last season and has 38 in 83 career appearances. Naturally prolific and versatile enough to operate across midfield and attack, he could benefit from injuries to Enes Ünal and limited depth in the Cherries’ squad. While Andoni Iraola may still choose to loan him out, his adaptability makes him a candidate for early minutes. If he stays, he could emerge as the surprise budget gem.

Chido Obi – Manchester United

Obi broke into United’s first team last season with seven league appearances, but his path to starts has narrowed after the arrival of Šeško with Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee already available as well. The 17-year-old Danish forward offers promise but is likely to be restricted to late cameos. With Højlund firmly ahead in the pecking order, Obi’s FPL value lies almost entirely as a bench filler. He’s worth considering only if you need a rock-bottom price enabler.

Further Read: Interview with FPL World Number 1 Manager Over Last 2 Seasons

£5.5m – £6.0m Best FPL Forwards

Thierno Barry – Everton

Barry’s profile fits Everton’s direct attacking style perfectly. Strong in hold-up play and aerial duels, he scored 11 goals from 25 starts and 10 substitute appearances last season. With Beto struggling for form in the latter half of 2024/25, Barry has a strong case to claim the starting role. Everton’s opening fixtures are promising, but clarity on his minutes will be key before committing. If he wins the shirt, he could be an under-the-radar early-season asset. He did start last night’s friendly against Roma over Beto.

Igor Thiago – Brentford

Thiago arrived last summer as Brentford’s record signing and potential Ivan Toney replacement, but his debut season was ruined by injury. Before moving to England, he had netted 29 goals across all competitions for Club Brugge, combining physicality with link-up play. Brentford’s kind early fixtures and the possible departure of Wissa could make him a prominent figure this season. If he nails down the starting striker spot, he could offer excellent value at £6.0m.

Igor Jesus – Nottingham Forest

A versatile attacker with a strong record in Brazil, Jesus caught the eye in the Club World Cup with goals against Seattle Sounders and PSG. He’s a high-volume shooter and an excellent penalty taker, which could prove valuable if he gets minutes. For now, Chris Wood blocks his path as Forest’s main striker, meaning Jesus may start in the Europa League rather than the Premier League. Still, his opening fixtures are favourable, making him a watchlist candidate. Forest’s performance in pre-season has been quite poor from an attacking point of view – just one goal in 7 games.

Niclas Füllkrug – West Ham

When fit, Füllkrug is a proven goalscorer with 56 Bundesliga goals and 13 for Germany. Last season’s 783 Premier League minutes brought three goals and two assists, highlighting his threat despite limited action. He’s expected to start as West Ham’s main striker but faces competition from new signing Callum Wilson. Injury concerns remain the biggest barrier to his FPL appeal. However, he has scored 3 goals in the last 3 friendlies, including one against Lille last night.

Further Read: Best Mid-Priced FPL Midfielders (£6.5 -£8.0 Million) | 25/26 Season

£6.5m – £7.0m Best FPL Forwards

Danny Welbeck – Brighton (£6.5m)

Welbeck enjoyed his best-ever Premier League campaign last season, scoring 10 goals and adding five assists. With Joao Pedro and Evan Ferguson sold, he is Brighton’s undisputed first-choice striker and could also take on penalty duties. Brighton’s attack was among the league’s most effective, creating plenty of chances for their forwards. While their early fixtures are mixed, Welbeck’s price makes him a strong rotation or Bench Boost option.

Jørgen Strand Larsen – Wolves (£6.5m)

Strand Larsen ended last season in prolific form, netting seven goals and two assists in his final nine games. With Matheus Cunha gone, he should see increased minutes and may even take penalties – but he could see some competition from Arias on that aspect. Wolves have a tough Gameweek 1 (Manchester City) but follow it with a very kind run. He’s well-priced for managers looking for a reliable mid-range striker. Wolves have been very poor in the pre-season though, 1 draw and 4 losses in the 5 pre-season games.

Evanilson – Bournemouth (£7.0m)

Despite an injury-hit debut season, Evanilson posted impressive underlying numbers, including 21 big chances, in Bournemouth’s high-scoring attack. With Enes Ünal still sidelined, he’s locked in as the starting striker. Kluivert is injured as well as per reports so he should also be on penalties to start the season. After a tough opening trip to Liverpool, the Cherries’ fixture run is excellent, making him an appealing early transfer target.

Further Read: Best Premium FPL Midfielders (£8.5 – £14.5 Million) | 25/26 Season

Liam Delap – Chelsea (£6.5m)

Delap impressed at Ipswich with 12 goals and two assists, showing versatility in finishing with both feet. His pre-existing chemistry with Cole Palmer could help him settle quickly at Chelsea, whose opening fixtures are favourable. However, competition with João Pedro is a concern, and disciplinary issues, 12 yellow cards last season, could also frustrate owners.

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£7.5m Best FPL Forwards

Chris Wood – Nottingham Forest

Wood is as reliable as they come, playing more minutes than any forward in this price bracket last season. He also had the highest npxG/90 (0.6) among the forwards here. His 20 goals came from both penalties and open play, underpinned by strong xG numbers. He offers little in creativity, but his goal output makes him a consistent FPL performer. However as mentioned earlier, Forest’s performance in pre-season has been quite underwhelming from an attacking point of view.

Jean-Philippe Mateta – Crystal Palace

Mateta’s 14-goal season was built on a mix of aerial power and chemistry with Eberechi Eze. He remains first choice under Oliver Glasner and contributes in link-up play as well as finishing. Palace’s attack flows through him, making him a safe, if unspectacular, option.

Mateta in Pre-Season: 5 Goals, 2 Assists

Dominic Solanke – Tottenham

Solanke’s nine goals in an injury-disrupted debut Spurs season were underpinned by strong xG numbers. With Son Heung-min gone, he is expected to take penalties, adding to his appeal. His creative involvement is a bonus, though consistency will be key under new management. Thomas Frank’s forwards have historically been explosive but Solanke’s complete absence in pre-season makes him an unattractive pick despite the good fixtures to start with.

João Pedro – Chelsea

Pedro’s talent is undeniable – 10 goals in under 2,000 minutes last season – but injuries and rotation risk cloud his FPL value. His penalties at Brighton inflated his appeal, but at Chelsea, that responsibility is likely to go to Palmer. If he secures a starting role, he could explode, but there’s a high risk of early substitutions. He has looked good in the Chelsea blue so far though, scoring a key 3rd against PSG in the Club World Cup final and a fantastic finish in a recent friendly against Leverkusen. He is currently the highest owned forward at 53%.

Further Read: FPL Rotational Pairs & Combinations for the 2025/26 FPL Season

£8.0m – £8.5m FPL Forwards

Jarrod Bowen – West Ham (£8.0m)

Bowen’s reclassification as a forward reflects his new role under Graham Potter, where he thrived in a two-man attack. From Gameweek 20 onwards last season, he delivered eight goals, five assists and was involved in 72% of West Ham’s goals when starting. While his midfield classification offered more value, his consistency under Potter still makes him a strong pick.

Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool (£8.5m)

Ekitike’s 15-goal, eight-assist season in the Bundesliga has earned him a move to Liverpool, where he could spearhead Arne Slot’s attack. His underlying data suggests room for improvement in finishing, but his movement and chance volume are excellent. If nailed, he could be one of the best-value forwards in the game, though an Isak signing would complicate matters. It will be key to watch the Community Shield final against Palace tonight to see how the roles of new signings like Ekitike and Wirtz play out before deciding on the second Liverpool attacker.

Further Read: 2025/26 Pre-Season Summary of All 20 Premier League Teams

Best £9.0m+ FPL Forwards

Erling Haaland – Manchester City (£14.0m)

By his own standards, Haaland had a “quiet” season – 22 goals and three assists – yet still topped the scoring charts. Manchester City’s fixtures are inviting, and with new signings in place (Cherki, Reijnders and Ait-Nouri), their attack should improve. Haaland’s ownership is surprisingly low (20% at the time of writing), which could make starting with him a differential strategy in itself. Haaland scored one in the 25th minute last night in a friendly against Palermo.

Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa (£9.0m)

Watkins is the definition of consistency, hitting double figures for goals in each of his Premier League seasons. His combination of goals and assists, plus penalty potential, make him one of the safest premium picks. Villa’s opening run is among the best, adding to his appeal. Watkins has 5 goals and an assist in the pre-season, looks definitely the best pick in the 9-10.5m range (over Gyokeres and Isak). Side note – Watkins vs Bruno Fernandes is an interesting discussion that seems to be happening these days on FPL Twitter.

Viktor Gyökeres – Arsenal (£9.0m)

Gyökeres arrives with a phenomenal record at Sporting and could take penalties if he ousts Saka from spot-kick duty. His lack of a full pre-season and Arsenal’s tricky early fixtures suggest patience is wise, however he did score his first goal for Arsenal against Athletic Club yesterday. He started the game over Havertz in what looked like Arsenal’s best XI for the upcoming season. Long-term, he looks set to be a premium must-have. While his numbers look the best in the table for the premium forwards, those will get adjusted as he settles in the EPL.

Alexander Isak – Newcastle (£10.5m)

Isak’s 23 goals and six assists made him one of last season’s standout forwards. A potential move to Liverpool could boost his output further, though uncertainty around his future makes him a wait-and-see. Wherever he plays, he’s a top-tier FPL asset when fit. I would not recommend going with him though till we get clarity on where he will be playing.

Further Read: 2025/2026 FPL Team Structure Guide with Drafts & Ratings

Conclusion – Best FPL Forward Picks by Price Bracket

From the bargain basement to the premium elite, there’s value to be found across every price point. In the budget range, Marc Guiu looks the most secure for minutes. At £6.0m, Igor Thiago could thrive if Wissa departs Brentford. Jørgen Strand Larsen at £6.5m combines form, fixtures and role security, while João Pedro offers a high-ceiling gamble at £7.5m. Jarrod Bowen is a proven, consistent pick in the £8.0m bracket, and at the top end, Erling Haaland remains the most explosive captaincy option in the game. The key will be balancing these picks to maximise flexibility and adapt as the season unfolds.

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