The World Cup 2022 ended, but only two weeks later the transfer window opens for the majority of Europe’s top clubs on January 1.
This year, more than anything, the focus on performing stars from Qatar will be evident as the clubs look to strengthen their injured, depleted squads before the first half of the season. later of the season. And while finances are still taking a hit amid the ongoing global economic crisis, football will still find a way to spend big – even if it won’t be to the extent that it will. a record summer.
So what’s the big plot ahead of the January window?
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Where will Cristiano Ronaldo end up?
It has nothing to do with the January transfer window but the future of cristiano ronaldowho is a freelancer after leaving Manchester United last month, will continue to dominate the headlines until he finds a new team.
Ronaldo used to train at his old team Real Madrid and, on paper, a return to the Bernabeu to pay for Karim Benzema makes a little sense when the club is light in the attacking areas. However, the 37-year-old’s return to United has damaged his legacy and Madrid fans will not want to see the same happen. In addition, Madrid has focused heavily on young players, so signing Ronaldo, even for a short time, could do more harm than good to the dressing room dynamics.
– Dason: Ronaldo’s choice after the World Cup
Sources told ESPN that Saudi club Al-Nassr offered him a three-and-a-half year contract worth more than $119 million (112 million euros) a year. But Ronaldo wants to play at the highest level for as long as possible. His pride may limit his options on this matter, for no interest in his services from the big clubs since the summer.
Mbappe’s dream of moving to Real Madrid is suspended?
Kylian Mbappehat-trick in FranceWorld Cup final defeat first Argentina won him the Golden Shoe and reminded everyone watching what a generational talent he was. However, after all the drama in Qatar, it is still remembered that the 23-year-old was on the verge of leaving. Paris Saint-Germain since October, with source told ESPN that he feels at odds with the direction of the club on and off the pitch.
The striker signed a new contract until 2025 in the summer, refusing a free transfer to Real Madrid and jeopardize his prospects for a future move to the Bernabeu in the process. His preference remains Madrid, although they have just agreed a €60m deal to sign 16-year-old Brazilian striker Endrick in 2024, and sources say the club are not plan to rekindle their longstanding interest in him.
Of course, every other top club in Europe wants to sign Mbappe if an agreement is reached. Problem? He is the highest paid player in the world. And he also has a transfer valuation of more than 150 million euros, which very few precious clubs can afford.
Mbappe may not move in in January, but speculation about his long-term future in Paris – and his relationship with teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi — will continue into the new year.
Can Manchester United land a striker?
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Rob Dawson explains why Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to explore their options in the January transfer window following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
United terminated Ronaldo’s contract by mutual consent in November but now they need a replacement, and source told ESPN that the club is set to make a move for Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos in January. The 21-year-old player replaces Ronaldo Portugal at the World Cup in the round of 16 the team meets Switzerland and score a hat trick; Now he can also put his feet in the shoes of the legendary No 7 at Old Trafford.
Ramos is still young but has already scored 14 goals in 21 games for Benfica this season. Although his pre-tournament valuation of 20 million euros has increased significantly, it is still cheaper than other players United are tracking: namely the pair are valued at 100 million euros. Joao Felix (Atlético Madrid) and Raphael Leao (AC Milan.)
– Karlsen: Why every club wants Rafael Leao
United could also move in PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands ahead Cody gakpo, who is not a central striker but had a great World Cup. United were quoted a transfer fee of around 30 million euros by PSV Eindhoven in the summer, but after three goals in Qatar it is now close to 50 million euros and the club could opt for the cheaper option of Atletico. Álvaro Morata if they can’t reach an agreement.
PSV is likely to want to keep Gakpo until the end of the season and it is likely that United are unable to hit any of their targets due to budget constraints after spending 240 million euros in the summer.
Will Liverpool move to Bellingham?
Another player saw his shares rise after a nice World Cup, England midfielder Jude Bellingham arguably the most in-demand talent in the world today. At 19, he’s still far from reaching his incredible potential and Borussia Dortmund know that they are asking for at least 150 million euros in transfer fees.
Sources told ESPN that Liverpool are favorites to land Bellingham – given his relationship with the Reds midfielder Jordan Henderson noticed in Qatar — and ChelseaManchester United, City of Manchester, PSG and Real Madrid are also closely following the Dortmund star. But it is unlikely any club will pay that fee next month.
However, Liverpool have struggled with injuries in midfield, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita are all out of contract next summer, so they can move on to more than one player. If so, two other midfielders who have impressed at the World Cup could be on the agenda: Maroc‘S Sofia AmrabatWho fiorentina reported value at 50 million euros and Argentina’s World Cup winner Enzo Fernandezevaluated by Benfica over 100 million euros.
Who will land Josko Gvardiol?
Defenders aren’t always the most expensive transfers in the transfer window, but RB Leipzig‘S Josko Gvardiol maybe in January after a great World Cup for Croatia. The left-footed centre-back is only 20 years old but already has the signatures of the top players in Europe.
– Karlsen: Why clubs want to sign Gvardiol
Chelsea spent 80 million euros to buy central defenders Wesley Fofana from Leicester in the summer, but believed to have also made a €90m late move to land Gvardiol ahead of time has been rejected. The Blues are likely to return to the defender as they look to agree a future transfer for his Leipzig team-mate, Christopher Nkunkubut they will have to pay a world record fee for a defender.
Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have all been linked with Gvardiol, but Chelsea’s desire to finalize a deal next month could put them at the forefront.
Will clubs cover injury problems with newcomers?
The timing of this year’s World Cup means things are different. Clubs have just a few weeks from the end of the league to the opening of the transfer window, rather than a month or so; Players who do not go to Qatar have had a month to rest or exercise, while the fee increase for impressive players is likely to be higher than ever.
Adding to the problem for some clubs is that they may have to replace injured players. Sources told ESPN that weaponJanuary’s top goal is Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudrykbut they also need cover for the injured striker Gabriel Jesus in the next three months. Juventus‘ Dusan Vlahovic and Atlético Madrid Matheus Cunha already linked, but how much should a team spend on a short-term fix?
Chelsea will also be looking for a striker like Armando Broja were dropped from the season due to injury, leaving them with only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz forward. Dortmund teenager Youssoufa Moukoko is said to be interested, as he has six months left on his contract. Barcelona‘S Memphis Depaywho can be signed for as little as 2 million euros, may well be worth the bet given his experience.
And if you think that just the teams cover the strikers, a lot of names have been contacted instead. Bayern Munich Goalie Manuel Neuerwho broke his leg while skiing after returning home early from Qatar with Germany. of Argentina Emiliano Martinez, Seville‘S Yassine Bounou (also known as Bono), Monchengladbach‘S Yann Sommer and Dinamo Zagreb‘S Dominik Livakovic it’s all been talked about, although landing any of them will be a tough sell for Bayern as Neuer will almost certainly reclaim the No. 1 spot when he returns in the summer. next.
