This summer, the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup runs from June 14 to July 13 in the United States and it has already changed everything we know about the transfer window.
Usually, most leagues in Europe open their windows on July 1, but many have agreed to open the summer window early for a short period from June 1-10, before closing it for six days and then re-opening again on June 16.
Clubs in all leagues will still be able to sign players as free agents after the first deadline, while FIFA also has a clause in the Club World Cup regulations which allows clubs to replace players on their squad lists whose contracts have naturally expired in the period June 27-July 3. But the question remains: will some players end the season at one club, then play at the Club World Cup for another? Or join a team on a short-term deal simply to play in this summer’s competition?
Manchester City‘s Kevin De Bruyne is one superstar who could move, but he cast doubt over whether he will play at the competition because he fears getting injured and ruining his changes of a permanent transfer before he leaves City when his contract expires on June 30.
Still, here are some other clubs and players who could be making moves before June 14.
UEFA (Europe)
By Sam Tighe
Qualified teams: Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Inter Milan, FC Porto, Benfica, FC Salzburg
REAL MADRID
Dean Huijsen: Madrid have already confirmed the signing of Huijsen for €59m ($67m) and stated he is available to play at the Club World Cup. They moved fast to secure his signature due to the sheer amount of competition for him, following a breakout campaign in the Premier League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: He is yet to be confirmed as a Madrid player, but ESPN sources have confirmed he’ll become the latest star player to sign for the club on a free transfer. That said, if Los Blancos want the England right-back to play in June’s games, they’ll need to negotiate and pay a fee to Liverpool to break his contract before its June 30 expiry date.
Álvaro Carreras: Madrid are in the market for a new left-back and ESPN sources have confirmed they’re keen on Carreras, who spent time in their academy then flew the nest to Manchester United, but has really only blossomed since moving to Benfica in 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo: There’s been some speculation that Ronaldo could complete a brief, inspired return to the club specifically to play the summer tournament, but that seems unlikely. A club in Brazil has reportedly extended him an offer to represent them instead, though his wages will be an issue for any team.
Rodrygo: Despite possessing immense talent, Rodrygo is seen as the potential odd one out in a Madrid forward line that isn’t particularly well balanced. His absence from the squad in May has generated a few murmurs that a summer move is on the cards, with Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool linked.
ATLÉTICO MADRID
Johnny Cardoso: Sources have told ESPN that the Real Betis midfielder is Atleti’s top target as boss Diego Simeone wants a more defensive-minded player. The United States international has a €80m release clause though, which could take time to negotiate around, while Tottenham also have a priority option to sign him.
Darwin Núñez: Ángel Correa waved his goodbyes to the Metropolitano last weekend ahead of a move to Liga MX giants Tigres and that, plus uncertainty over Antoine Griezmann‘s future, means Atlético may need to sign a striker or two this summer. Reports suggest Núñez is top of the list of potential replacements and his physical style could suit Simeone’s squad and temperament, while Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus and Jonathan David of Lille are also reportedly of interest.
Mathías Olivera: According to AS, Atleti like Napoli and Uruguay left-back Olivera, who plays with the type of grit Simeone loves.
CHELSEA
Dário Essugo: Chelsea secured Essugo (€22.2m) in a double deal along with Geovany Quenda (€52.1m) from Sporting CP back in March. Quenda will stay at Sporting for another season, but Essugo is joining this summer and is confirmed to be available for the Club World Cup.
Marc Guéhi: Crystal Palace‘s FA Cup-winning captain is a product of Chelsea’s youth academy and there’s interest in bringing him back home. He has just one year left on his contract in south London, and Palace want at least a £70m fee, but the fact he may have his eyes on a 2026 move to Barcelona complicates matters.
Victor Osimhen: The Blues’ interest in Osimhen has been consistent over the last few years and perhaps 2025 is the year they finally get the deal done. The Nigeria international is approaching the final year of his deal with Napoli and reportedly has a €75m release clause for clubs outside Serie A.
MAN CITY
Florian Wirtz: City are in the market for an attacking midfielder to replace De Bruyne, but as it stands, Wirtz looks like a no-go. Progress on any potential €140m deal has already faltered, according to ESPN sources, due to costs and the looming interest of Bayern Munich.
Morgan Gibbs-White: The Nottingham Forest captain might be the next port of call, as clear interest in him has been established. Gibbs-White has had a phenomenal season leading Forest into Europe and might be ready for the next step, but Forest won’t let him go on the cheap.
Eberechi Eze: Turn your greatest weakness into your greatest strength? Eze, the man who scored the goal that defeated City in the FA Cup final last weekend, is reportedly on their shortlist.
Andrea Cambiaso: Pep Guardiola has admitted the club need to sign a new full-back this summer and the club’s interest in Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso dates back to January. His teammate, Nicolò Savona, is also of interest.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Serhou Guirassy: It’s been quiet in terms of rumored incomings at PSG, which is perhaps a by-product of the fact they’re focused on securing a European treble ahead of their Champions League final clash with Inter Milan. Dortmund striker Guirassy, who scored 13 goals in this season’s Champions League, has been one of the few names linked to the club so far.
BAYERN MUNICH
Jonathan Tah: Die Rekordmeister tried and failed to sign Tah last summer, but appear confident he’ll finally join 12 months on. His contract at Leverkusen is about to expire, so it should be easy enough this time around.
Florian Wirtz: City have backed off from Wirtz, in part because Bayern are strongly positioned to sign him. It would be an expensive and complicated deal, though, which they may struggle to get done in time for the summer tournament.
Leroy Sané: Player and club thought they had agreed a contract extension earlier this year, but Sané switched agents in May and progress has now stalled. His contract expires in just over a month, with a host of top clubs monitoring the situation.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Jobe Bellingham: The 2020 signing of Jude Bellingham worked out brilliantly for Dortmund, so why not try his brother, Jobe? Reports suggest extensive work has been done on this deal, which BVB want done ahead of the Club World Cup, but it’s complicated by the fact the England U21 international midfielder has a Championship playoff final this weekend for Sunderland!
Carney Chukwuemeka: Signed on loan from Chelsea in January, Dortmund are interested in making Chukwuemeka’s stay in Germany a permanent one.
Rayan Cherki: The prodigiously talented French forward has confirmed he is leaving Lyon, which opens the door for clubs like Dortmund to sign him. An electric attacking presence, he’d suit them well.
JUVENTUS
Miguel Gutiérrez: Perhaps in response to Man City’s interest in Cambiaso, Juventus are keen on Girona left-back Gutiérrez. His transfer would cost €35m, per AS, but the Old Lady face competition from Napoli for his signature.
Jonathan David: David will leave Lille when his contract expires this summer and is attracting serious interest from across Europe. Juve reportedly like him and would like him to replace Vlahović. Though there’s interest in Osimhen too.
INTER MILAN
Luis Henrique: Inter have been negotiating to sign the Marseille midfielder for some time and appear close to a breakthrough. If the deal goes through, it’s expected he’ll be able to play at the Club World Cup.
Jonathan David: Inter are kings of the free transfer, so it’s no surprise they’re rivalling Juventus (and others) to sign David and have reportedly tabled an offer. He’d suit Simone Inzaghi’s system very well.
FC PORTO
Fábio Vieira: Currently on loan at the club from Arsenal, Porto would like Vieira to stay for the entire Club World Cup, plus there’s a chance he makes the move back to the Dragão a permanent one at around €35m.
Gabri Veiga: Two years ago, Veiga used a breakout LaLiga campaign for Celta Vigo to earn a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia. Now, there’s a chance he could return to Europe, with Porto firmly in the queue.
BENFICA
João Félix: Félix’s loan at AC Milan from Chelsea has not gone to plan, so the Portugal forward enters yet another summer searching for a solution. A return to his former club Benfica will always be an option, provided the finances work for the Eagles.
Matías Galarza: The 23-year-old Paraguay midfielder, who plays for Argentine outfit Talleres, is reportedly a target, although Ajax hold an interest too.
FC SALZBURG
Stefan Lainer: The Austria international, 32, has been linked with a return home to his first club. In a team that often showcase some of the most promising young players in Europe, he’d be a welcome veteran presence.
Sota Kitano: Salzburg have reportedly lodged a formal offer to Cerezo Osako to sign the 20-year-old Japanese forward, with negotiations advancing. There’s a good chance his transfer can be sealed in early June, just in time for the tournament.
