This free agent striker would be a huge risk, but he can't be any worse than Luis Muriel | OneFootball

It's no secret that Luis Muriel has struggled to justify his mammoth $2.5 million annual salary since arriving from Serie A giants Atalanta in 2024.

Just 17 goals in 84 appearances later, the 34-year-old is said to already be weighing up his future at Orlando City with one year still remaining on his deal.

If he does depart, the club will both rid themselves of their highest earner and free up a Designated Player spot to be filled this off-season. It's an exciting prospect, but for one reason or another, Orlando have always made an absolute meal of signing big-money strikers - it's little surprise that our most celebrated centre forwards have all come out of the collegiate system.

With this Major League Soccer-proven goalscorer recently being made available via free agency, though, Orlando suddenly have the opportunity to put right all of these historic wrongdoings.

Netting 49 goals in three-and-a-half years for a consistently poor D.C. United and bagging the league's Golden Boot in 2024, Christian Benteke would be nothing short of an outstanding pick-up for clubs like Orlando longing for an elite centre forward.

An ideal short-team fix

Of course, such a move wouldn't come entirely without its risks.

Turning 35 years old in December and commanding a huge $4.5 million wage in 2025, it makes total sense why D.C. refused to renew the Belgian on his current terms.

However, given that the two parties are still in discussions about a potential return for 2026, it seems very possible that Benteke could be negotiated down to a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) deal. If this is the case, Orlando must do their best to hijack negotiations.

On a one-year deal, and with the likes of Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić spoon-feeding you chances, Benteke could prove an inspired addition.

Worrying work rate?

If there's one thing that could scupper Benteke in Orlando, it's his mobility.

"I am fine with letting Benteke go, he was a liability on ball pressing," said one fan on X (formerly Twitter).

Making a single interception, completing just 35 ball recoveries, and winning possession in the final third a mere 10 times, the Belgian was among the league's most static forwards in 2025. I would certainly downplay any allegations that he is lazy, as his flawless aerial statistics prove otherwise, but it's clear that Benteke suits a certain style of play.

This would be just as obvious in Orlando. Óscar Pareja's footballing philosophy is entirely founded upon a high press, lightning-quick counter attacks, and the fluidity of his forward line. But let's be real. Other than a few fancy touches here and there, Muriel hasn't exactly proved himself as the most dynamic and creative of centre forwards, either.

With his aerial prowess, Benteke could both pitch in defensively - as Pareja demands of his attackers - and act as a target man to expedite Orlando's counter-attacking play.

Exactly what Orlando have been missing

It's not just Muriel who has struggled for goals in recent times.

Finding the net on just 15 occasions across 2024 and 2025, Duncan McGuire has seen his once-prolific form dry up, too.

He is, of course, entirely not to blame. Being forced to compete for minutes with the multi-million-dollar Muriel after seeing his dream move to English Championship side Blackburn Rovers collapse before his eyes, McGuire has since suffered two freak shoulder injuries that have kept him out of the team for months apiece.

As a result, the 24-year-old has basically gone two whole years without playing consistent football. He needs time to rediscover the sort of form that saw him bag 15 goals straight out of Creighton in 2023, and that's why bringing in Benteke on a one-year deal makes so much sense.

Somehow tallying nine goals in 25 league appearances for the wooden spoon winners in 2025, Benteke has clearly still got what it takes. Not only that, but with their similar builds and styles of play, he could act as a mentor for the younger, rawer McGuire.

Yes, the soon-to-be 35-year-old comes with his risks, but Orlando could do so much worse this off-season. If one thing is clear, it's that they must do something.