The World Cup may still have a handful of games left but we are just weeks away from the winter transfer window opening. And like the retailers welcoming the swarms of shoppers after a post-Christmas bargain, the tournament in Qatar has certainly raised a lot of speculation around many of the players who have been performing excellently on the biggest platform in world football.
Europe’s elite will be circling the stars of the 2022 World Cup like sharks, looking to pounce as soon as soon as the market opens on January 1st. Here we take a look at some of the talent that could be on the move next month.
Cody Gakpo - Netherlands
Position: Winger/forward
Age: 23
Current club: PSV Eindhoven
Contract expiry: 2026
The exciting Dutchman had been tipped for a January move long before the World Cup rolled around but after scoring a handful of goals in Qatar to demonstrate his qualities, the interest in his services will have only gone up. It was largely thanks to Gakpo’s efforts that the Netherlands got through their group. The tussle for his signature is likely going to be one of the key stories of next month’s window.
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Joao Felix - Portugal
Position: Forward
Age 23
Current club: Atletico Madrid
Contract expiry: 2026
Felix has really struggled to live up to the hype of his £113 million price tag when he joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica three years ago - at club level at least. For Portugal, he has been showing his class and that he can still reach his potential as a superstar, but it may take a move away from the Spanish capital to instil him with a new lease of life domestically.
Goncalo Ramos - Portugal
Position: Forward
Age: 21
Current club: Benfica
Contract expiry: 2026
He may have only been handed just two starts at the World Cup, but Ramos certainly left an impression. His hat-trick against Switzerland in the round of 16 was brilliant to watch and you just know it won’t be long until he is snapped up by a top European side. It will be sad news for clubs such as Southampton who were reportedly tracking him in a £25 million deal in the summer. His pace and composure on the ball would make him an asset for a lot of the biggest teams in Europe.
Dominik Livakovic - Croatia
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 27
Current club: Dinamo Zagreb
Contract expiry: 2024
The Croatian shot-stopper has been excellent at the World Cup and it is fair to say that Croatia wouldn’t be in the semi-finals if it wasn’t for him. He made himself the hero in the penalty shoot-out against Japan and against Brazil he made 11 saves in the match, as well as denying Rodrygo in the shoot-out that followed. Livakovic has a great chance of receiving the Golden Glove award at the World Cup and his displays could see him attract some interested suitors in January.
Sofyan Amrabat - Morocco
Position: Midfielder
Age: 26
Current club: Fiorentina
Contract expiry: 2024
Morocco’s combative midfielder has been astonishing over the past few weeks, turning in great performances each game to help his side reach their first World Cup semi-final. Amrabat has covered so much ground in Qatar and he has been effective both in and out of possession. He has the work rate and the talent to bolster a handful of teams across Europe in the upcoming transfer window.
Azzedine Ounahi - Morocco
Position: Midfielder
Age: 22
Current club: Angers
Contract expiry: 2026
One of Amrabat’s midfield partners, Ounahi has been equally impressive in Qatar and the two have made themselves two of the best-performing midfielders in the tournament. While Amrabat tends to do the more defensive work, Ounahi is the one who receives the ball and helps his side up the pitch, with his ball retention being exceptional. The two have a strong connection with one another offering support both in and out of possession which has greatly contributed to Morocco’s success at the World Cup.
Josip Juranovic - Croatia
Position: Right-back
Age: 27
Current club: Celtic
Contract expiry: 2026
Juranovic has been one of Croatia’s standout players in Qatar with his strong performances down the right side both defensively and offensively. The Celtic man has reportedly been tracked by some of the big hitters around Europe even before a ball was kicked at the World Cup, but he will likely have more eyes on him, especially after his performance against Brazil where he kept Vinicius Jr out of the game while also causing problems for Alex Sandro.
Jude Bellingham - England
Position: Midfielder
Age: 19
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Contract expiry: 2025
The England star has been all the talk in recent weeks because of his efforts on and off the pitch. The teenage sensation has shown that he is already able to compete at the highest level which is whetting the appetite of the richest clubs around who know they could have on their hands one of the best midfielders of the next decade in their ranks. Bellingham has been a joy to watch at the World Cup and everyone can now see just how special a player he truly is.
Enzo Fernandez - Argentina
Position: Midfielder
Age: 21
Current club: Benfica
Contract expiry: 2027
Any move in January for the Argentina starlet seems unlikely seeing as he only joined Benfica in the summer. But from his performances in Qatar, clubs may want to start putting in the work for what is likely going to be a competitive deal down the line. Real Madrid are already sniffing about, which can only mean that other giants won’t be far behind. You can imagine a lot of clubs already opening conversations with Benfica over what is going to be an expensive transfer when he does decide to move.
Harry Souttar - Australia
Position: Centre-back
Age: 24
Current club: Stoke City
Contract expiry: 2025
Despite having barely played for Stoke heading into the World Cup as he was recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture, Souttar flourished for the Socceroos. He was commanding in Graham Arnold’s back line as Australia qualified for the knockout stage for the first time in 16 years. The defender looked assured when coming up against some of the world’s top attacking talent and his efforts could earn him a move away from the Potters next month.
