The summer transfer window is all set to be a busy and equally so an exorbitant one, with a handful of world-class players on the move in the coming weeks and months.
A wide array of players have contracts running out this month and some of the most talented footballers in Europe are weighing up options for their next destinations. Free agents are not restricted to signing during the transfer window and they may join a club at any point in the season.
Kylian Mbappé was the headline name of those with contracts expiring this month and the 23-year-old was expected to sign for Real Madrid and put an end to the most incessant transfer saga in forever. PSG reportedly matched Real’s contract offer to the World Cup winner who decided to put pen to paper on a new three-year deal in the French capital.
Real have sealed one pre-contract signing in the form of Antonio Rüdiger from Chelsea; the German international defender agreed a four-year contract at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mbappé’s countrymen Ousmane Dembélé & Paul Pogba are unattached as of July 1 and the latter exits Manchester United on a free for a second time, 10 years after he first moved away from Old Trafford as a 19-year-old. Pogba is believed to be torn between a return to his native France with PSG, or a return to Juventus where the midfielder played from 2012-16.
Dembélé, meanwhile, is in talks to extend his stay at Barcelona however should negotiations stall he too may reroute to his home nation – more specifically to PSG.
In addition to Pogba, Man United bid farewell to Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata. Also in the Premier League, Man City captain Fernandinho brings an end to his nine-year affiliation with the club whilst Arsenal are set to part ways with French forward Alexandre Lacazette.
Divock Origi leaves Liverpool after seven years on Merseyside and the Belgian forward is close to agreeing terms with Italian champions AC Milan. Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen is unlikely to continue at Brentford and he may well be courted by a top club competing in Europe next term.
Juventus skipper Giorgio Chiellini brings an end to his time with the Old Lady after 18 years and 561 appearances. Chiellini has also retired from international football following Italy’s clash with Argentina in La Finalissima and the 37-year-old is tipped to move to the MLS, with Los Angeles FC leading the way for his signature.
Argentine international Paulo Dybala says goodbye to Juventus following a seven-year stay in Turin, while his compatriot Angel Di María is in talks to join Juve amidst the end of his deal at PSG.
Ivan Perišić departs from Inter Milan following seven years with the Italian giants. The Croatian wide-man has signed for Spurs on a two-year deal having played under Antonio Conte for a couple seasons at Inter.
Real Madrid are to release three of its long-serving players in Isco, Gareth Bale and club captain Marcelo. The latter leaves 15 years after being unveiled as a Madridista and having won a record 25 trophies with Los Blancos. Isco seals his departure following a decade in Madrid and Bale nine years after completing a then-world record €100million switch from Tottenham.
Barça have been proactive in the market, particularly among the soon-to-be free agents, with two players signing prematurely at the Camp Nou. Franck Kessié is poised to join La Blaugrana on a four-year deal from AC Milan, and Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen has also signed in Catalonia until 2026. Both deals are awaiting official confirmation.
Luis Suárez flees from Atlético Madrid after two years at the Wanda Metropolitano. Suárez and international teammate Cavani are each into their 36th year and the pair of Uruguayan strikers could make a grand return to South America, although Suárez is linked to a reunion with ex-teammate Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.
Ajax have lost out on two integral defensive components as right-back Noussair Mazraoui has joined Bayern Munich and goalkeeper Andre Onana is finalising a move to Inter Milan, both on free transfers. AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli is reportedly close to joining Lazio upon the end of his deal at the San Siro.
German centre-back Niklas Süle has signed for Dortmund on a free after five years at Bayern. Similarly, French midfielder Corentin Tolisso departs on a free transfer following five years with the Bavarians.
Over and above free moves, we are also braced to witness a fair amount of transfers worth eye-watering values.
Erling Haaland’s move to Premier League champions Manchester City has gone through after the Norwegian spent two-and-a-half years at Borussia Dortmund. Man City triggered Haaland’s €75million release clause and the 21-year-old marksman officially becomes a Citizen from July 1.
Dortmund have already acquired Haaland’s successor with 20-year-old German striker Karim Adeyemi switching from RB Salzburg in a €30million deal.
Aside from Haaland, another top-level centre-forward could be about to exit from the Bundesliga with Robert Lewandowski keen to join Barcelona from Bayern. Lewandowski has one year remaining on his contract but is adamant to force a premature end to his spell at Bayern, who in turn would look to receive in the region of €50million for their 33-year-old Polish striker.
Bayern are said to be keeping an eye on Sadio Mané as a potential replacement for Lewandowski, and the Senegalese star man could be on the move for as little as €35million.
The summer transfer window officially opens June 10 and will close on August 31.
