The biggest names moving around Europe this summer

The margins between success and failure are finer than ever and the difference next season could ultimately come down to who lands a standout signing this summer. Given the precarious nature of football finances at the moment you’d think clubs would be slightly hesitant to delve deeper into their pockets to acquire some of the world’s top talent for themselves, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Rumours of gargantuan sums of money associated with young prospects have been circulating for months and it’s looking likely that clubs will have to get creative if they are to boost their chances of a triumphant campaign in 2023/24. Here’s a look at some of the names shaping up for big money moves away this summer.
Jude Bellingham
The 19-year-old midfielder has got it all. Tracking back, kickstarting counterattacks, late runs into the box, he’s the workhorse of Dortmund’s midfield. A move home to the Premier League from the German club seems inevitable at this point but the answer of when and where is unknown. There is no shortage of options available to the teenager this summer. As one of Europe’s hottest prospects Bellingham has found himself in high demand amongst Europe’s elite. Despite Liverpool withdrawing Bellingham from their priority list earlier this year, City, United and Real Madrid all remain interested in wrestling the England International away from the Westfallenstadion. As things stand Los Blancos lead the way with 3/1 odds of landing the prized signature for the steep fee of £130 million, but with Dortmund making strides in the Bundesliga, Pep Guardiola chasing a historic treble and Erik Ten Hag’s project in full swing, who knows where the Englishman will be putting his talents to good use next season.
Lionel Messi
The future of World Cup winner Lionel Messi remains uncertain as speculation intensifies over an imminent departure from Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentinian’s two-year contract with the French club expires in June and despite Sporting Director Luis Campos making his intentions clear to keep hold of his star man for months, the exit door beckons. With PSG struggling in Europe once again and contract negotiations hitting a brick wall, there is perhaps no better time for the little magician to look elsewhere. Former employers Barcelona and MLS outfit Inter Miami have emerged as the two most interested parties with the Catalonian giants the sentimental favourites. While it’s hard to detach from the romance of the club’s greatest ever player returning to add to his collection of 35 trophies, Ronaldo’s bitterly disappointing return to Old Trafford should serve as warning that nostalgia can be a dangerous thing. A move to Saudi Arabia for an eye-watering £250-million-a-year contract has been touted as a potential option but David Beckham’s Miami franchise will be just as happy to splash some cash in bringing Messi to South Beach.
Victor Osimhen
The Nigerian forward is in red-hot form this season. Napoli have been Europe’s surprise package this year with the 24-year-old’s 28 goals this term helping the club claim their first Scudetto in 33 years. It is by far his most prolific spell and he has garnered a lot of interest as a result. United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and even Newcastle have all been linked with the talisman going into this window. If you are planning on betting on any Summer transfer, make sure to search for available free bets in the US. Out of those suitors Newcastle seem the outside bet but would perhaps benefit the most from the Nigerian’s arrival, particularly now that St. James’ Park looks set for Champions League football next term. However, United need him the most. Wout Weghorst is nothing more than a stop-gap and while the Red Devils have their eyes set on Harry Kane, it is likely that Daniel Levy will perform his regular summer transfer antics to stop any potential move in its tracks. As Napoli’s most valuable asset the price has been set at a whopping £150 million to attain the striker’s services but it’s doubtful that the 24-year-old will end up fetching that price should he move.
Harry Kane
Speaking of Tottenham’s star man, Kane is expected to be leading the summer transfer talk yet again this window. England’s all-time leading goalscorer has been tied into a contract at Spurs for years now and with silverware continuously eluding him, there aren’t many chances the prolific striker has left. The forward turns 30 this year and with numerous clubs interested in putting pen to paper, perhaps this is his last chance to move somewhere trophies are more commonplace before his career begins to wind down. United have been leading the charge all the way and while Kane would likely be happy himself with a move to the red half of Manchester, prying him away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will more than likely be an exercise in drawing blood from a stone. With Levy at the helm Spurs have clung on to the Englishman for dear life, often demanding ludicrous sums of money before he can be moved on elsewhere. But with only one year left on his contract the prospect of attaining the 29-year-old’s services for some manner of reasonable fee is better than ever now that the exit door is ajar.
Declan Rice
The midfielder’s spell at the London Stadium is all but at an end with the Irons form in the league dipping significantly in the last 12 months paired with his own personal aspirations to play Champions League football sooner rather than later. Thankfully for the England International, there will be no shortage of suitors looking to sign him ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. It is rumoured that the midfielder has become Arsenal’s top transfer target this summer and the prospect of signing West Ham’s main man has improved after this season’s performance. There is no doubt he would make an excellent addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad as his off the ball workrate demonstrates. However, the Gunners will face stiff competition to acquire the 24-year-old as Real Madrid are also rumoured to be in the hunt for his signature. While a move to the Bernabeau would certainly fulfil Rice’s demands of playing Champions League football, and plenty of it, a Premier League move seems the more likely outcome.