Underdogs: The 7 Dark Horses for the 2017/18 Premier League Golden Boot

Following one of the most extortionate transfer windows in Premier League history, in which the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United spent upwards of £70m on Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku respectively, you could be forgiven for thinking that the race for the Golden Boot wouldn't yield many surprise names. 

On the other hand, whist the big clubs have gobbled up the star names, the likes of Huddersfield and Burnley have quietly scoured the market for a bargain hitman, and have found some exciting names to compete against the big hitters. 

Let's take a look at some...

7. Andre Gray - Watford

League goals scored last season: 9

League goals scored this season: 0

Watford's new £18.5m man is yet to break his Watford duck, although he has quickly struck up an effective strike partnership with another new boy, the Brazilian Richarlison. 

The former Burnley man teed up his partner to score the opener at Bournemouth on game week 2, and judging by the pair's combined pace and goalscoring ability, you would expect Gray to notch a fair few goals himself over the course of the season. 

6. Chris Wood - Burnley

League goals scored last season: 27

League goals scored this season: 1

Burnley's new club-record £15m signing hit the ground running on his Clarets debut, coming on as a sub to score a 92nd minute equaliser at Wembley to break Tottenham hearts. 

The New Zealand international finished as the Championship top scorer last term, scoring 27 goals for Leeds, and after flirting with the Premier League during his time at West Brom and Leicester, Wood is ready to become an accomplished top-flight striker. 

5. Steve Mounie - Huddersfield

League goals scored last season: 14
League goals scored this season: 2

The Benin international arrived in England as a relatively unknown name when Huddersfield shelled out £11.5m to Montpellier for his services, but he is certainly making a name for himself. 

The 22-year-old scored a brace on his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace, and looks ready made for the physicality of England due to his 6ft 3in frame. 

Remember the name. 

4. Joshua King - Bournemouth

League goals scored last season: 16
League goals scored this season: 0

The former Manchester United and Blackburn striker rose to prominence last season, scoring 16 league goals for Bournemouth as Eddie Howe's side earned a 9th place finish. 

Even more impressively, 13 of King's league goals last season came in 2017, including a run which saw the Norwegian international score an astonishing 12 goals in 14 games. Following the additions of Nathan Ake, Asmir Begovic and Jermain Defoe to their ranks, you wouldn't bet against him replicating that form.  

3. Kelechi Iheanacho - Leicester

League goals scored last season: 4
League goals scored this season: 0

Leicester shelled out a fee of around £25m for the Nigerian's signature this summer, and it looks to be a good long term investment for the 22-year-old. 

The Manchester City academy graduate is one of the most prolific forwards in Premier League history, scoring a goal every 106.5 minutes, seemingly scoring every time he steps on the pitch. 

With the pace of Jamie Vardy already pulling defences out of place, Iheanacho should find himself with plenty of goalscoring opportunities. 

2. Manola Gabbiadini - Southampton

League goals scored last season: 10
League goals scored this season: 1

The Italian hotshot arrived at St Mary's in the January transfer window from Napoli for around £17m, and instantly hit the ground running. The 25-year-old notched a classy brace at Wembley in the EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester United, and has continued to terrorise defences with his clever movement and precise finishing. 

The Italy international has already scored once in three games this season, and will undoubtedly be more ruthless in front of goal now he has settled on the South Coast. 

1. Chicharito - West Ham

League goals scored last season: 11
League goals scored this season: 2

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez needs no introduction. The Mexican poacher is renowned for his expertise in the box, and has already scored twice in three games this season for the Hammers. 

The former Manchester United forward has the fifth best minutes per goal ratio in Premier League history, and 52 of his 59 strikes for the Red Devils were first time finishes, emphasising his confidence in front of goal and natural ability to be in the right place at the right time.