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After an extraordinarily quiet January window, the transfer cogs appear to be spinning at top speed once again. Some of the biggest names in the game are looking like they’re on the move, and they won’t come cheap, meaning we could be in for some record-breaking spending over the next few months.

The Saudi Pro League is expected to be a big player in the market once again as they execute the second phase of their plan to permanently alter the constitution of top-level football. Meanwhile, the financial issues that prevented several Premier League clubs getting their business done this winter are set to play less of a role in proceedings this time around.

Below, GOAL takes a look at 30 of the biggest transfer sagas to keep an eye out for this summer…

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  Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
  
  The next big thing when it comes to English defenders, it seems Jarrad Branthwaite is destined for the very top after a breakout season with Everton. The centre-back formed part of one of the most staunch backlines in the Premier League, inevitably drawing admiring glances from some big hitters.
  
  Manchester United have been linked with him for some time, while Manchester City and Newcastle have entered the picture in the weeks leading up to the transfer window creaking open. Everton’s asking price may well prove to be a stumbling block, though, with the infamous ‘English tax’ coming into play with his £80 million ($102m) valuation.

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Gleison Bremer (Juventus)

Juventus defender Gleison Bremer is among a host of centre-backs who could be on the move this summer. Having impressed in Serie A for both Torino and Juve, the Brazilian has admitted his desire to test himself in the Premier League or La Liga.

It seems he has plenty of interest in England too, and the opportunity to make that dream a reality could well present itself. Manchester United have been linked with him for some time, but as the transfer period draws closer, Chelsea have emerged as another potential suitor. It’s said the Bianconeri would be willing to do business if an offer in the region of €60m (£51m/$65m) arrives.
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Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)

Alphonso Davies has been on Real Madrid’s radar for some time, and it was reported in February that they had reached a verbal agreement with the Canada international for a transfer to take place either this summer, or in 2025. The Spanish giants are waiting for Davies to respond to Bayern Munich’s latest extension offer before making any formal approach, however, as they refuse to spend upwards of €60m (£52m/$64m) on a player in the final year of his contract.

There are few full-backs in the game more electrifying to watch than a fully-fit and firing Davies, and a transfer to Santiago Bernabeu feels like a natural next step for the 23-year-old. But the price has to be right for Real – who are already putting most of their resources into the Kylian Mbappe deal – and they won’t be held to ransom by Bayern, especially given the fact they already boast a top left-back in the form of Ferland Mendy.
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Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Eberechi Eze also took his game to new heights at Crystal Palace this campaign, positioning himself as a possible wild card pick for England ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.

Eze also edged into double figures for Premier League goals and established his reputation as one of the most fearsome ball-carriers in England. Tottenham are understood to have identified him as a target and they’re unlikely to be his only suitors this summer.
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Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

United’s new minority owners INEOS are planning a major squad overhaul this summer, but Bruno Fernandes is one of the few members of the team who is considered untouchable. The Red Devils are still reeling from their worst-ever Premier League finish, but a relegation battle might have been on the cards without Fernandes, who quite literally carried the team after being handed the captaincy.

However, Fernandes’ patience is running low; he wants to be fighting for major honours as he approaches the ripe old age of 30, and is not short of high-profile admirers. Bayern Munich are reportedly heading the queue for the Portuguese playmaker, with a switch to Allianz Arena likely to hold greater appeal than a prospective move to Saudi Arabia, and United may be fighting a losing battle to convince him to stick around given the long road back to the elite stage they are now facing.
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Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)

Surely Chelsea aren’t really willing to cash in on their latest homegrown hero?! Conor Gallagher was absolutely crucial for the Blues in 2023-24, appearing in 50 of 51 games, regularly wearing the captain’s armband and playing a key role in a late-season resurgence that delivered European football.

However, despite that and now-former manager Mauricio Pochettino’s obvious desire to keep him, all the signs seem to suggest the club’s decision-makers are willing to emotionlessly cash in on the academy product, as a potential £50m ($64m) fee would represent 100 percent profit. Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham have been continually linked, with Aston Villa being touted as another possible destination.
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Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)

Mason Greenwood is one of the most sought after players in Europe again, after an impressive season-long loan stint at Getafe, which has seen him record 16 goal contributions in all competitions. United are now demanding £50m ($64m) for the 22-year-old as they prioritise a full sale over another loan, and Juventus, Napoli and Atletico Madrid are all poised to swoop.

Getafe could also make a play to sign Greenwood outright, though it has been reported he wants to play in the Champions League again. It seems the only certainty right now is that the one-cap England international will not return to Old Trafford, where he still has a contract until 2025, having recently put his £2m Manchester mansion up for rent.
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Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)

If there are any Palace fans reading this, we’re sorry, but unfortunately the Eagles could also lose their defensive lynchpin and captain in the summer. Marc Guehi has been remarkably consistent for the Eagles in recent years, forming a solid partnership with Joachim Anderson at the heart of the backline.

And these performances have caught the attention of some of the Premier League big boys. Manchester United are in dire need of bolstering their back four, with Guehi believed to be one of the players they are considering signing. Should Gareth Southgate get the Old Trafford job this summer, he’d be a big fan of the move, with the England boss handing Guehi a string of Three Lions caps in recent years.
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Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)

After posting an alarming financial loss earlier this year, Newcastle could be forced to make at least one big sale this summer – and Bruno Guimaraes is one of their most coveted assets. The midfielder has enjoyed another impressive Premier League season, balancing his creative and defensive roles perfectly.

Arsenal and Manchester City currently look like his most likely suitors, with Eddie Howe warning that it will take a sizeable bid to prise him away from St James’ Park. The Brazilian has a £100m ($127m) release clause in his contract that expires at the end of June, so any interested clubs will need to move quickly to avoid a summer of protracted negotiations.
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Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP)

Brighton to Coventry to Sporting CP is not the most conventional route to superstardom, but Viktor Gyoekeres’ performances in Portugal mean his name is on everyone’s lips this summer.

After missing out on Premier League promotion with the Sky Blues in 2023, Gyokeres had interest from across Europe. He eventually settled on Sporting, which has proved to be an inspired choice. Gyokeres has scored more than 40 goals this season and also chipped in with 15 assists, instantly becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after centre-forwards. Close to €100m (£85.5m/$108.6m) is understood to be Sporting’s asking price this transfer window.
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Alexander Isak (Newcastle)

Newcastle are also set to contend with interest in another of their key performers over the coming months. Alexander Isak has exploded this season, reaching the 20-goal mark in the Premier League, with only Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer scoring more.

His ability to hold the ball up and bring his team-mates into play will only increase his market value further, and like Guimaraes, Isak has been touted for a move to Arsenal. The similarities don’t stop there either; it’s thought the Swede would also fetch at least £100m ($127m) in the current market, too.
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Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Joshua Kimmich is another Bayern star about to enter the final year of his contract, and he is widely expected to take on a new challenge this summer. The 29-year-old has won everything there is to win at the Allianz Arena, amassing 390 appearances for the club along the way, but renewal talks have stalled, putting a host of top clubs on red alert.

Man City, Arsenal and Manchester United are among those said to be weighing up bids, and La Liga could also be a viable option for Kimmich amid reported interest from Barcelona. It will just be a question of where he sees himself fitting in best for the final stage of his illustrious career.
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Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

The longest-running transfer saga of the modern era will finally come to an end this summer. Kylian Mbappe is almost certainly heading to Real Madrid on a free transfer, despite the fact he will have to accept a significant pay cut on his current €37m (£32m/$40m) per season deal at Paris Saint-Germain.

The World Cup winner should still be quite content as the highest-paid player in Real’s history, though, and the prospect of him lining up alongside Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo in the final third is a frightening one. The Premier League has also been mooted as a possible destination for Mbappe, amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, but he was born to play under the bright lights at Santiago Bernabeu, and it’s the best place for him to go on and fulfil his Ballon d’Or ambition.
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Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)

A dark cloud is sitting over the Allianz Arena after Bayern’s first trophy-less season in 12 years, but Jamal Musiala is one of the few who can still hold his head up high. The 21-year-old racked up 12 goals and eight assists for Bayern despite their lack of cohesion as a collective, and looks ready to spearhead Germany’s bid for Euro 2024 glory on home soil.

According to The Guardian, Musiala’s dazzling displays have caught the attention of Pep Guardiola, who wants to bolster his attacking midfield options at Manchester City. The Premier League champions are unlikely to be put off by Bayern’s reported £100m ($127m) valuation of Musiala, either, as the best years of his career are still very much ahead of him.
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Joao Neves (Benfica)

Benfica’s penchant for producing world-beaters is well known, and next off the production line in Lisbon is Joao Neves. The 19-year-old has properly broken into the first team this season, missing just one game as his side missed out on the Liga Portugal title to Sporting CP.

Unflappable in possession, the defensive midfielder is already an accomplished passer, too. Players in his mould are like gold dust in the transfer market, and it’s little surprise that a host of big teams are keen to secure his services this summer. His €120m (£102m/$130m) release clause will make things difficult for any interested parties, however.
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Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)

Liverpool’s ‘master of chaos’ had a mixed second season at Anfield. Darwin Nunez scored a respectable 18 goals across all competitions, but endured an eight-game drought down the finishing stretch, and was guilty of missing a host of big chances as the Reds’ title challenge collapsed in spectacular fashion.

Supporters have a right to expect more from the £85m ($108m) forward, and he further alienated a large section of the Liverpool faithful by deleting all club-related images from his Instagram account at the start of May. Nunez is a handful for any defence on his day, and has bags of potential still to unlock at 24, but he seems to be unsettled on Merseyside, and Barcelona could turn his head after reportedly identifying the Uruguayan as a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
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Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)

If there was any remaining doubt that Michael Olise was an elite Premier League player, Crystal Palace’s talisman proved otherwise this season. Despite missing a considerable chunk of the campaign through injury, the Frenchman still managed to reach double figures for goals from a right-wing berth, with his return to full-fitness coinciding with the Eagles winning six of their final seven league games.

Chelsea were extremely interested last summer, but Palace simply wouldn’t play ball. Chairman Steve Parish remains one of the toughest negotiators around, meaning Olise is not expected to depart for anything less than £60m ($76m) this summer.
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Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

It feels as though Victor Osimhen’s love affair with Napoli is drawing to its natural conclusion after their meagre defence of their Scudetto in 2023-24. The Partonopei finished the season in mid-table and will not be able to offer European football next season as a result.

Although Osimhen’s stock has also dipped as his goal return paled in comparison to the triumphant previous campaign, the Nigerian hitman seemingly still has plenty of potential suitors, with PSG chief among them, while Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have all been mentioned. His £111m ($141m) release clause may act as a deterrent, though.
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Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig)

Dani Olmo has had a couple of niggling injuries to contend with since making the move to RB Leipzig back in 2020. When he has been fit, though, the Spaniard has often been pretty sensational. A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Olmo is an exquisite technician, capable of playing on either wing as well as in midfield if required.

Barcelona are understood to be keen to bring him back to Catalunya, with Leipzig holding out for at least €60m (£51m/$65m). He’s had Premier League interest in the past, too.
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Joao Palhinha (Fulham)

Joao Palhinha was cruelly denied a dream move to Bayern Munich at the 11th hour of last summer’s transfer window, despite being in Germany ready to put pen to paper. He has since signed a new contract at Fulham and the west Londoners are determined to keep him, but surely a big move finally beckons for the Portugal international this summer?

Whether Bayern are still interested remains to be seen, as it has been reported that outgoing manager Thomas Tuchel was a big advocate for bringing in the £56m-rated ($71m) midfield destroyer. Euro 2024 will give him a chance to put himself in the shop window if not.
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Raphinha (Barcelona)

Brazil international Raphinha is believed to be among the cohort of players Barcelona are willing to cash in on this summer, as they continue to try to balance the books amid their ongoing financial woes. A return to the Premier League could beckon for the former Leeds winger, who is said to be valued at €80m (£68m/$86m).

Given his pedigree in the English top flight, you wouldn’t be surprised to see a top-six club roll the dice on a player who hasn’t had the easiest time of it in Catalunya, but we’ve been here before with Barca, who have a tendency to cling onto their assets despite their crippling economic situation.
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Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah showed real loyalty to Liverpool last summer after being targeted by Al-Ittihad, who failed with a £150m ($191m) bid for the Egyptian. However, his resolve his likely to tested again when the transfer market reopens, as the links to Saudi Arabia have only intensified over the past year, and a public fall out with Jurgen Klopp added fuel to the fire.

A new era is now beginning at Anfield, with Klopp making way for highly-rated Feyenoord tactician Arne Slot, and Salah has strongly hinted that he wants to be part of it. Money talks, though, and if another mega offer comes in for the 31-year-old then Liverpool would be foolish not to take it seriously, especially considering his worrying decline in performance during the second half of the season.
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Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)

Jadon Sancho’s first three years on Manchester United’s books have been a disaster. Nine goals and six assists in 55 Premier League appearances is a poor return for a £73m ($93m) player, and Erik ten Hag was met with resistance every single time he tried to challenge the winger to raise his application levels.

But that does not mean Sancho is a lost cause. He’s rediscovered his confidence since returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan, and reminded the world just how devastating he can be when masterminding PSG’s downfall in the Champions League semi-finals, giving his stock a timely boost in the process.

Dortmund have made it clear they want Sancho back permanently, but they may struggle to meet United’s £55m ($70m) asking price, and it’s entirely possible alternative suitors will step forward to try and beat the German side to the punch.
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Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)

Benjamin Sesko is no stranger to seeing his name in the transfer gossip columns. The Slovenian is a product of Red Bull’s football system, making his breakthrough in Salzburg before being moved over to RB Leipzig in summer 2023.

He’s since taken to Bundesliga life like a duck to water, scoring 14 goals despite only starting half of his side’s games. Arsenal are said to be very interested, and his physical profile would suggest he’d have little issue adapting to the Premier League. With a €65m (£55m) release clause in his contract, several other clubs might take a look at him over the summer, too.
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Georgiy Sudakov (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Top-quality attacking midfielders are like gold dust in the modern era, which goes some way to explaining the clamour for Giorgiy Sudakov’s signature – a player unproven in Europe’s top five leagues. Such is the 21-year-old’s ability, though, it seems one of the continent’s elite is ready to make their move.

A wonderful technician, Sudakov has starred in a dominant Shakhtar side, with his performances and 16 goal contributions this season seemingly piquing the interest of Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea. Valued at a cool £65m ($83m), Shakhtar’s CEO has already admitted he will leave this summer for “a top club”.
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Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice)

Jean-Clair Todibo has revived his career since leaving Barcelona and now seems ready for another big move after impressing for Nice in Ligue 1. He reportedly almost joined Manchester United in 2023, and the fact he plays for an INEOS-owned club means those links have intensified this year.

A modern ball-playing centre-back, Chelsea and Tottenham are said to admire the Frenchman too, and he could come cheaper than a number of his peers as Nice are reported to be looking for as little as £40m ($50m) to let him go. Still just 24 years old, he would be a shrewd investment for the present and the future.
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Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Having returned from an eight-month betting ban, Ivan Toney has made it abundantly clear that he plans to move on from Brentford this summer to test himself at the very highest level – his only problem might be finding a club willing to cough up the Bees’ asking price after his form dipped towards the end of the season.

Nevertheless, Toney is a Premier League-proven hitman who may well be reaching his peak at the age of 28 and could flourish in new surroundings. It has been reported that his valuation has dropped significantly in recent months, so he could be well worth the risk for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham.
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Manuel Ugarte (Paris Saint-Germain)

PSG went all out to beat Chelsea to the signing of Manuel Ugarte last summer, handing the Sporting ace a massive five-year contract worth €10m after triggering his €60m (£52m/$64m) release clause. Ugarte had established a reputation as monstrous holding midfielder in Portugal, but the huge investment has yet to pay off for PSG, despite a promising start.

Ugarte gradually fell down the pecking order under Luis Enrique as the 2023-24 season wore on, raising questions over his future at Parc des Princes. According to L’Equipe, PSG will let him go if they can recoup his initial fee. Juventus and AC Milan are said to be willing to hand Ugarte more regular minutes, and his aggressive style of play is an ideal fit for Serie A, but it remains to be seen whether either club will take the financial risk on a player with much still to prove at the highest level.
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Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna)

Bologna have been one of Europe’s biggest surprise packages. Led by the much-admired Thiago Motta, they will be gracing the Champions League next season – and Joshua Zirkzee is a big reason why.

After failing to make the grade at Bayern Munich, the Dutchman has finally began to fulfil his potential in Italy, leading the line for Motta’s side superbly. He has a €40m (£34m/$43m) release clause active this summer, with Bayern understood to hold first-option privileges, amid interest from Inter, Juventus and several Premier League clubs.
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Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

The latest in a long line of smooth-passing Spanish midfielders, Zubimendi has invited admiring glances from Europe’s elite with his performances for Real Sociedad. A defensive midfelder by trade, he has been touted as the next Sergio Busquets – so it’s perhaps unsurprising that Barcelona are after him.

Arsenal might have something to say about that, though, as they continue their search for a ball-playing No.6 to complete their midfield. Bayern Munich have been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old too, with a €60 million (£51m/$64.5m) release clause in his contract. However, La Real seem resolved to keep him.