All eyes will naturally be on the World Cup this summer, but several world-class players won’t be competing in the USA, Canada or Mexico. Some of those stars are Champions League-winning calibre icons who will no doubt be in demand as the transfer window opens on June 15.
The pandemonium of the transfer season often takes a back seat in a World Cup summer, with players often prioritising the tournament. However, clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and more will be looking to bolster their squads early as they prep for the 2026/2027 season under new managers.
Mirror Football takes a look at the seven transfers that could happen involving players not at the World Cup across June and July, with many of those said to be ready and willing to discuss their futures.
United are said to have made Galatasaray striker Osimhen a “priority target”. However, Spanish outlet AS reports that Atletico Madrid have made an enquiry about the Nigerian, whose nation failed to qualify for the 48-team World Cup this year.
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The 27-year-old has impressed in Turkey after joining from Napoli, initially on loan, before the deal was made permanent for £64.8million. Osimhen scored 22 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions this season.
United could be in the market for a new striker with Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee their only out-and-out forwards currently. Galatasaray are not expected to be open to a transfer, however, and will ask for a hefty fee.
West Ham midfielder Fernandes may have missed out on a spot in Portugal’s World Cup squad, but he is a player in high demand this summer. Man Utd have reportedly been told that they will have to pay £80m to secure the 21-year-old.
Liverpool, according to ESPN, are also in the mix for the Portuguese star. While the Hammers would prefer to keep him at the club, they are believed to be willing to do business at the right price.
View 7 ImagesMan United are among the clubs interested in Mateus Fernandes(Image: Getty Images)
Fernandes was signed from Southampton for £38m last summer, but could not help West Ham avoid relegation. He has four years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium.
With Casemiro set to depart Old Trafford this summer, reports in Italy suggest that Tonali is “on his way” to United to fill the midfield berth. News states that the Red Devils are ready to stump up around £87m to sign the Newcastle midfielder.
View 7 ImagesNewcastle are reportedly open to selling Sandro Tonali(Image: Getty Images)
Tonali joined Newcastle for £55m in July 2023. He is under contract at St James’ Park until the summer of 2029 and has an option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.
The player’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has been vocal over a potential exit for Tonali, and with Italy failing to qualify for the World Cup, the midfielder should face little delay regarding his future.
Serbia may have failed to qualify for the World Cup, but their star striker, Vlahovic, could be on the move to the Premier League, according to reports. Juventus recently announced that the former Fiorentina forward would be leaving this summer after failing to reach an agreement over a new deal.
View 7 ImagesVlahovic looks set to leave Juventus at the end of the campaign(Image: Getty Images)
TeamTalk has reported that Vlahovic would like to keep playing his football in Europe and that Chelsea are ‘among the clubs best positioned to take advantage’
Vlahovic joined Juventus for £60m in January 2022 when Arsenal were also said to be interested. The Serbian has scored 68 in 168 appearances for the Old Lady and would be a huge coup on a free transfer.
Polish legend Lewandowski announced that he would be leaving Barcelona after winning his third La Liga title with the Catalan giants. It’s hard to articulate just what signing the ex-Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund player could do for a club.
View 7 ImagesLewandowski scored 120 goals in 193 games for Barcelona(Image: Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He has scored an incredible 629 goals for club and country in 869 appearances. At 37, he’s fresh off the back of his 14th top-flight title and still has much to offer.
While his nation didn’t make the World Cup, Lewandowski could be in for a busy summer after being linked with United, Liverpool and Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Many believed Wharton would’ve been part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup, but he was surprisingly left out. The combative midfielder has been a revelation for Crystal Palace and the 22-year-old has been linked with the likes of Liverpool, United and Chelsea this summer.
View 7 ImagesAdam Wharton was crucial to Crystal Palace winning the Conference League(Image: Getty Images)
The midfielder was crucial for Palace as they lifted their first-ever European trophy with a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League last month. All three Premier League giants will be keeping an eye on Wharton, who will get a summer of R&R, followed by a full pre-season, wherever he goes next.
Huijsen’s big-money move to Real Madrid last summer look like it hasn’t entirely paid off. The Spanish star has been left out of Luis de la Fuente’s squad for the World Cup, despite costing Los Blancos £50m and starting over 40 games this season.
View 7 ImagesDean Huijsen is unveiled at Real Madrid by Florentino Perez(Image: Real Madrid)
New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola got the best out of the 22-year-old during their spell at Bournemouth together. With the Reds on the hunt for defensive reinforcements, a reunion between Iraola and Huijsen at Anfield could be a shrewd bet.
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