The transfer window opened on July 1 for the majority of the football leagues across Europe and already clubs have set things in motion. Big names such as Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema have kicked off the window in spectacular fashion, with cash-rich moves to Inter Miami and Al-Ittihad, respectively. (More Football News)
Kylian Mbappe created a stir when he informed the Paris Saint-Germain hierarchy that he will not sign a 12-month extension on his current contract, which is expected to spark an auction for the France striker, with Real Madrid likely to be at the head of the queue.
Manchester City and Arsenal were locked in a bidding war for West Ham United's Declan Rice with the treble champions letting go of their influential skipper Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona. Manchester United are still after Chelsea's Mason Mount whereas the Blues are offloading their own players to curb their Financial Fair Play position.
With that in mind, here are some of the names in the football world that could see a potential transfer:
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
With Messi out of the door and Neymar's future still in doubt, Mbappe's future has left some of the top clubs across Europe on red-alert. Out of contract next year, he will be a free agent. PSG does not want to risk losing him for free, which could see him being put up for sale soon if a new deal cannot be agreed.
Real Madrid had a bid of $190 million rejected in 2021 and the timing would appear to be perfect to launch a fresh move after Benzema’s exit. Mbappe, however, said he will see out the final year of his deal. But with time still on the Spanish club's side, who knows what the future holds for the pacy Mbappe?
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
With Antonio Conte out and new boss Ange Postecoglou at the helm, the Australian's new priority will be to solve the future of their club's star striker, Harry Kane. With a year on his contract, the pressure is on Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to either sign Kane to a new deal or cash in. With Benzema at a new club, Real Madrid could eye a replacement whereas Bayern Munich are also eyeing a bid for the England skipper. There's also talk of Manchester United moving in for Kane but if the latter does leave, Spurs need to act quickly or else they could end up losing him for free next season.
Declan Rice (West Ham United)
Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid has left Declan Rice as probably the most wanted midfielder in Europe. Arsenal and Manchester City were in a tussle for the Englishman's services. However it's the Gunners who have pipped the treble champions, according to various English reports. Rice, who led West Ham to triumph in the Europa Conference League, is considered one of the best central mid-fielders in Europe.
Rice's next move could really be a game-changer, especially with the amount of the fee involved, and gives the club a chance to build on towards Premier League glory.
Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
The Brazilian seems like the most unwanted man in Paris with fans reportedly gathering near his house and asking him to leave the club. Much could depend on who wants the Brazilian. He has been linked with the likes of Newcastle United and some Saudi Arabian clubs.
Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig)
Despite landing a treble with Manchester City (English Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup), Pep Guardiola is on the market for a defender. The future of Aymeric Laporte is still up in the air whereas Kyle Walker is linked with Bayern. That's why Guardiola is after Leipzig's Croatian defender, Josko Gvardiol.
Gvardiol was one of the stars of last year’s World Cup. The Croatia defender has continuously been linked with a move to City in what could be a world record fee for a defender, with Leipzig reportedly wanting more than the 80 million pounds (then $97 million) United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.
Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku finds his career at a crossroads after completing his loan spell at the Italian club. With Mauricio Pochettino taking over at Stamford Bridge, it is not clear what Chelsea’s plans are for the Belgium striker. Lukaku has reportedly informed his current employers that he wishes to stay at the San Siro. However, the Italian club do not want to purchase the forward. The Belgian has also been linked with AC Milan and Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Another loan move could be a win-win situation for both the parties.
Mason Mount (Chelsea)
English attacker Mason Mount has decided to move away from Stamford Bridge this season as he looks for a fresh beginning. Manchester United have made three bids for Mount around $51 million but the Chelsea owners have not been pleased with the offer. United’s priority is to sign a top striker, while Erik ten Hag could also be in the market for a goal-keeper, with David de Gea out of contract.
Mount is a versatile midfielder who can also play in a front three. The England international would add depth to United’s squad ahead of the team’s return to the Champions League next season.
Moises Caicedo (Brighton And Hove Albion)
Arsenal tried to sign Moises Caicedo in January, but could not convince the English club to sell. Despite signing a new contract in March, the midfielder is expected to move this year, with Arsenal and Chelsea among the teams linked with him. With Alexis MacAllister already signed up for Liverpool, it appears Brighton could lose one more gem in Caicedo this summer. Chelsea is in for a midfielder as the London club look to offload many players and Caicedo's versatility could be the right dose the Stamford Bridge need.
Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Randal Kolo Muani has become one of Europe's hottest names after a stellar showing for France. Bayern Munich and PSG are top clubs that have been linked with his signature as Frankfurt look resigned to losing him in the summer transfer window.
