The World Cup is reaching its zenith, with Argentina booking their place in the decider in Qatar and Morocco and champions France hoping to join them.
But an incredible, action-packed tournament has seen a host of players put their names up in lights, with young talents particularly impressing.
With domestic football set to resume almost immediately following the conclusion of the World Cup, managers and club executives will have been watching the goings-on in Qatar with great interest – and with an eye on the upcoming January transfer window.
With a number of players injured in Qatar, some of the biggest teams around Europe will be looking to reinforce next month for the run home.
Here are some of the biggest names that could be on the move in January!
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JOAO FELIX
Arsenal reportedly lead the race to sign Portugal striker Joao Felix in January, with the Atletico Madrid star looking for a move away from Spain.
The 23-year-old revealed during he tournament that he is open to leaving the club, with the Madrid team also willing to cash in on the youngster they purchased for a whopping £113 million.
Atlético’s CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín said earlier this month: “Félix is the biggest bet the club has ever made. I think he’s a high-performance player, one of the best in the world, but, for reasons that it’s not worth naming now, the relationship between him and the coach is not good, nor is his motivation.
“I would love for it to continue, but that is not the player’s intention.”
Felix scored in the 3-2 win over Ghana, and added two assists in the Round of 16 win over Switzerland.
Arsenal reportedly lead the race for the playmaker.
With Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus injured during the World Cup, the Premier League leaders are in the market for reinforcements up front.
“We are looking and we are active in the possibilities,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “If we can find the players that will strengthen the team, we will try.”
But The Athletic claim Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes is pushing for him to join Aston Villa – something the 23-year-old is reportedly not interested in.
Chelsea and Manchester United are also in the hunt, according to Spanish outlet Marca. PSG is interested, while Bayern Munich had a bid rejected earlier this year.
CODY GAKPO
In the summer, Dutch star Cody Gakpo was on the verge of a move to Leeds United.
Now, after several strong performances for Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands at the World Cup, Gakpo’s price tag has skyrocketed and puts him in the window for Europe’s elite clubs to make a move.
PSV director of football Marcel Brands has said the club are preparing to sell Gakpo in January and the Dutchman believes “maybe 10 or 12 clubs in Europe” will be able to afford the transfer fee, with Manchester United reportedly at the front of the queue, per The Mirror.
MYKHALO MUDRYK
Another name high on Arsenal’s list of targets is 21-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk forward Mykhalo Mudryk, despite Ukraine missing out on the World Cup.
The Athletic claim Mudryk is the Gunners’ top priority after impressing in the Champions League and domestically, where he has seven goals and as many assists in just 12 games.
But a transfer could cost as much as £86m, per reports.
FERRAN TORRES
According to German outlet BILD, the Gunners are hoping to sign Barcelona forward Ferran Torres in January – just 12 months after his £47m Manchester City exit.
The 22-year-old attacker impressed for Spain in Qatar, but has struggled at club level for the Catalan giants.
Messi stands tall as Croatia CRUMBLE | 01:04
JUDE BELLINGHAM
The Borussia Dortmund star has long been tipped as the next England superstar, and his efforts in Qatar only affirmed that reputation.
After a host of teams tried to prise him from Borussia Dortmund in the off-season – unsuccessfully, with the German club refusing to sell him after losing Erling Haaland – the battle for his services is set to heat up in January and then Juine.
According to Football Insider, a deal for the England gun was ‘virtually done’ in the off-season, with the club remaining set on finally making the move happen.
Reports in Germany this week claimed Liverpool lead the race for his signature, in front of rivals including Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
Italian reporter Matteo Moretti claims the Reds are willing to go up to 150 million euros to secure the 19-year-old. Dortmund are willing to sell – the only questions that remain is how much they will pocket, and whether a deal is sealed in January or after the season ends.
JOSKO GVARDIOL
The Croatia centre-back played a crucial role in guiding the team to another semi-final after their 2018 runners-up effort in Russia.
The RB Leipzig star, just 20 years old, has quickly developed into one of the finest young defenders in the world – despite being turned inside out by Lionel Messi in the semi-final.
Chelsea attempted to poach the young talent late in the off-season, but were denied by the German club.
His price-tag has skyrocketed thanks to a series of mature and composed performances in Qatar, with some reports claiming a price tag as a high as €90m.
Chelsea remain interested, as are Manchester City, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. Madrid boast a particular advantage as Croatia captain and all-time legend Luka Modric plays there.
But Sky Germany reported this week that Gvardiol is expected to stay at RB Leipzig beyond this season, despite the immense interest from across the continent.
SOFYAN AMRABAT
Morocco’s standout midfielder this tournament – and one of the best players from any nation – Sofyan Amrabat has long been linked to the Premier League.
The 26-year-old has played for Fiorentina in Italy since 2018, and has been strongly linked with Liverpool and Tottenham.
However, Alberto Maria Fontana, the player’s agent, has declared he is happy at his present club, saying: “We have received many phone calls about him, but we respect the decisions that Fiorentina are making”.
Fiorentina are reportedly keen to hold onto their star defensive midfielder until the end of the season, but offers will surely test their resolve in the upcoming transfer window.
“I think there’s a big chance that he might go there [the Premier League],” journalist Amini El Amri said on talkSPORT.
“But everybody will have to wait until the summer because Fiorentina don’t seem to want to sell in the next couple of weeks.”
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France ready for Morocco firefight | 00:42
MARCUS RASHFORD
The Manchester United attacker picked up three World Cup goals and was another key member of England’s quarter-final squad.
His development into an elite forward had manager Erik ten Hag declaring he is one of the finest attackers in the world.
“From the first moment, I recognised huge potential. And now to get out the potential, I believe when Marcus’s positioning is on the back of the defending line, there is almost no better player in the world,” Ten Hag said this week.
Rashford’s contract status has been a recurring cause of concern for Red Devils fans, with his deal set to expire at the end of this season, but Ten Hag all-but-confirmed the club had activated an additional one-year option on his deal.
However, there is plenty of interest in his services, with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently saying: “He’s another player who’s amazing and for free? To have Rashford for free, every club will run after him.”
Erik ten Hag said he can’t stop PSG from trying to poach their youngster – but the club is desperate to convince him to stay.
“He has to make a decision,” Ten Hag said. “What we can do is to show him that this is the best club to be in, and it has to do with the culture of the club, but also in the way we are working together.
“It has to do with the way we play, the way we train, are we offering the right environment to progress further on and it’s also a financial issue as well.
“So, if we do that, if we can tell him about the ambitions and how we want to fulfil the ambitions, these talks we will have with him. Then it is up to him to make the decision.
“It’s one-and-a-half years [still on his contract] and he will be here [for all of that].”
However, Rashford’s financial value means the club could be convinced to sell him at the end of the current season – or in January – rather than lose him for free one season later.
United also have David de Gea, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, and Fred on contracts that have a club-extension option embedded after the current season. And ten Hag hinted the club will look to extend all of their players.
“We are talking with them to extend their contracts, but we are in control because on all the players we have options and we will exercise these options,” ten Hag said.
“Like I say, we have options and we will do them.”
Giroud winner sinks England in quarters | 01:52
ENZO FERNANDEZ
The 21-year-old Benfica midfielder has enjoyed a breakout tournament for Argentina, starting all three knockout games and setting up the opening goal of the semi-final with a pinpoint long ball for Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine left River Plate for Portugal before this season, but his rapid rise could see him move to the Premier League as soon as next month – despite Benfica being reluctant to sell their player before the season’s end.
Portuguese publication O Jogo and Argentina publication La Capital both report that Liverpool have a pre-agreement with Benfica and are prepared to match any offer from another club – with both Manchester sides reportedly fighting for his signature.
But the report claims that a deal in January could be as high as his release clause of €120m, making a move at the end of the season far more likely.
THEO HERNANDEZ
Theo Hernandez may have started the World Cup as France’s second-choice at left back – behind his brother, Lucas, no less – but has proven himself a crucial part in Les Bleus’ defensive corps.
His impressive performances have reportedly not gone unnoticed, either.
According to Calciomercato, Manchester City are keeping tabs on the AC Milan defender as Pep Guardiola looks to strengthen his squad even more.
Joao Cancelo, a right back by trade, has often been deployed by Guardiola at left back for the defending Premier League champions yet a move for Hernandez could help the Portuguese star return to his favoured position.
Hernandez won’t come cheap having signed an extension with the Rossoneri until the end of the 2025/26 season, but as Guardiola and City have proven in recent years, everyone has a price.
Kane puts pen into orbit at the death | 00:31
N’GOLO KANTE
After six years of service to Chelsea, N’Golo Kante is set to leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer next summer.
There is little indication the Blues are keen to extend the French midfielder’s deal, especially given his injury woes of late – which forced him to miss the World Cup.
And recent reports suggest a European powerhouse is waiting in the wings to make their move for Kante.
Spanish outlet SPORT claims Barcelona is close to reaching an agreement to bring Kante to Camp Nou for next season and beyond. There had been earlier reports that Barcelona would look to sign Kante in January, but it appears the Catalan club will wait until the end of the season to poach the French defender.
With Barca’s defensive midfield stalwart Sergio Busquets set to leave the club, Xavi believes Kante is the perfect option to replace the Spaniard in the heart of midfield.
EDEN HAZARD
Three-and-a-half years after joining Real Madrid for a reported $AUD155 million, Eden Hazard is considering a move to Major League Soccer as he looks to revive his floundering career.
The Belgium skipper struggled for form at the World Cup as the Red Devils were dumped out of the group stage amid reports of tension within the team.
It was a continuation of his battles in Madrid, with the 31-year-old looking a shadow of the player that Los Blancos forked out a nine-figure transfer fee for.
And a fresh start in America could be exactly what’s needed for Hazard, according to L’Equipe.
