World Cup stars set to make enormous transfers as soon as their nations are knocked out
This time next week the 2026 World Cup winners will have been crowned and attention in the football world will be swiftly returning to the transfer window.
England, Argentina, France and Spain make up a mouth-watering final four with the former two meeting on Wednesday in Atalanta, where they will know who they will face in the final, with France and Spain meeting in Arlington on Tuesday.
Their respective 26-man squads are packed full of superstars but some emerging talent and also those on the cusp of their national and club squads will be turning their focus on their future when the tournament concludes.
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Among those in the England camp is goalkeeper James Trafford, who is stuck behind Jordan Pickford for the Three Lions and Gianluigi Donnarumma at Manchester City. The 23-year-old wants first-team football and a fee of £35million could land his signature.
Marcus Rashford is another whose future is up in the air after Barcelona snubbed the £25million buy option in his loan deal. Talks have started with United over reintegrating him into the squad but a move away is still on the table.
Morgan Rogers forced Jude Bellingham’s winner against Norway when his shot was spilt by Orjan Nyland, and he may need to force an exit from Aston Villa with Arsenal and Manchester United interested in a move exceeding £130m.
Lastly for England, John Stones became the first player to play for England without a club after he left City at the expiration of his contract in June. The 32-year-old will choose his next club after the tournament.
In the Argentina camp, Cristian Romero looks set to leave Tottenham after his future looked untenable following his public absence from the club’s relegation run-in.
Julian Alvarez has not featured enough at the World Cup considering his talent, owing to Lionel Messi’s brilliance, but the Atletico Madrid star is attempting to force a move to Barcelona to follow in the great man’s footsteps.
Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez are two who are seemingly pushing for moves away from their club. The former is a target for Juventus while the latter’s price tag of over £100m is putting off suitors.
Bradley Barcola’s future at PSG will have to be resolved with Liverpool the most prominent suitors in the £100m-rated winger. While midfielder Manu Kone could follow him to the Premier League after the Roma midfielder caught the eye of Manchester United.
Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto has emerged as a surprise target for Manchester City following Enzo Maresca’s appointment to replace Pep Guardiola. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future is another to keep an eye on as he flirts with an exit from Crystal Palace.
Manchester City’s superstar midfielder Rodri is reportedly prepared to leave Manchester and return to Madrid with Los Blancos if the opportunity arose to complete a blockbuster move.
Meanwhile, Nico Williams won’t leave the headlines as the Athletic Club winger has been a long-term target for Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Arsenal despite signing a new 10-year contract.
