Liverpool like Enzo Fernandez, while Manchester United hope to finally secure the services of Cody Gakpo. But how many more 2022 World Cup stars could be on their way to the Premier League during the January transfer window?
Cody Gakpo – Netherlands and PSV Eindhoven
Leeds’ loss will be Manchester United’s gain. Just four months after turning down a deadline day move to Elland Road, PSV Eindhoven’s free-scoring talisman looks destined to end up on the other side of the Pennines instead.
According to talkSPORT, United boss Erik ten Hag is desperate to sign a player he knows well from the Eredivisie. And PSV’s precarious financial situation meaning they will be forced to consider offers in the region of £45 million.
Gakpo scored three goals in five games for the Netherlands in Qatar; one with his left foot, one with his right, and another with his head.
Ismaila Sarr – Senegal and Watford
In the injury-enforced absence of Sadio Mane, Sarr stepped up in style, taking on the role of Senegal’s most threatening attacker en route to the last-16. Now, the Watford winger’s name is never too far away from the gossip columns around this time of year, and Give Me Sport believes that Frank Lampard is hoping to finally secure the services of his one-time Chelsea target at Everton.
Enzo Fernandez – Portugal and Benfica
Regardless of whether the rumours are true, suggestions that Liverpool have already agreed a deal with Enzo Fernandez’s agent are going absolutely nowhere. A key cog in Argentina’s World Cup winning machine, the 21-year-old Benfica playmaker was named the tournament’s best young player, and could potentially become Liverpool’s next record signing.
“(Enzo has) A big future,” beams Argentina captain Lionel Messi. “He is very intelligent. He is a player with a lot of personality, a good pass. Spectacular.”
Marcus Thuram – France and Borussia Monchengladbach
According to BILD, Thuram’s soon-to-be-expiring contract means Gladbach may entertain offers of just £6 million in January. You’d be hard pressed to find a better pound-for-pound signing anywhere in European football. Labelled ‘world-class’ during a prolific start to the Bundesliga campaign, Thuram’s trickery and work-rate certainly caught the eye for World Cup runners-up France.
The son of Les Bleus legend Lillian; Thuram Jr is reportedly on the radar of Arsenal, Man United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle.
Jonathan David – Canada and Lille
The 2021 Ligue 1 winner won’t be looking back on his World Cup campaign with much fondness. David was a shadow of his usually lethal best in Qatar, but an impressive strike-rate in France means he will still have his fair share of admirers when the window opens.
Canada’s Consett-born head coach, John Herdman, indicated before the tournament that his £50 million-rated marksmen may be on Newcastle’s radar. And watch out for Arsenal too; the Gunners need a forward after losing Gabriel Jesus for the forseable future.
Borna Sosa – Croatia and Stuttgart
Likened to David Beckham due to his devilish deliveries from out wide, Stuttgart’s Sosa did his burgeoning reputation no harm in Qatar. The Bundesliga assist-machine is one of Europe’s most creative full-backs, and recently opened the door to a potential move to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Stuttgart, meanwhile, may be forced to sell for a cut-price £22 million due to their crippling financial situation(Sky Sports).
Sofyan Amrabat – Morocco and Fiorentina
It’s amazing what a World Cup can do for a player’s reputation. Amrabat jetted out to Qatar a relative unknown – at least outside of Italy – and returned to Florence a household name. Dubbed ‘the best defensive midfielder’ in the tournament by Morocco coach Walid Regragui, Amrabat’s representatives have already held talks with Liverpool (Sky’s Florian Plettenberg).
Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Julian Ward are both huge admirers of the tireless, tenacious, ball-winning battle-axe. Don’t write of Antonio Conte’s Tottenham either.
Spurs tried to sign Amrabat in a previous window, after all.
Azzedine Ounahi – Morocco and Angers
From one Morocco midfielder to another. Ounahi, like Amrabat, was among of the World Cup’s breakout stars in Qatar; a balletic, buccaneering playmaker with the defence-splitting capabilities of a Kevin de Bruyne and the footwork of Fred Estaire. According to 90Min, Newcastle, Wolves and West Ham are showing an interest.
Leicester City, meanwhile, could test the waters with a £40 million bid (L’Equipe). The new Youri Tielemans, anyone?
Mohammed Kudus – Ghana and Ajax
Labelled the World Cup’s stand-out performer during the group-stages; Kudus came ‘really close’ to joining Everton over the summer and Lampard must now be wishing things had worked out differently. According to The Sun, Kudus has his heart set on a Champions League switch these days.
Converted from a midfielder into a forward, the Ajax whizzkid has 14 goals for club and country this season. Two of which came in the 3-2 win over South Korea on November 28th.
Joao Felix – Portugal and Atletico Madrid
Has any footballer ever looked more awkward than Joao Felix at Atletico Madrid? Diego Simeone’s pragmatic, defensively-minded side feels the wrong fit in almost every single way for this flowing, free-spirit of a forward. And, after falling predictably out of favour under Diego Simeone, Felix is desperate for a fresh start. Per Corriere dello Sport, super-agent Jorge Mendes has held talks with Arsenal regarding a potential January move to the Premier League leaders.
Is Felix, one of European football’s most naturally talented forwards, the player capable of dragging Arsenal over the line?
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