It’s not uncommon for stars to emerge at the World Cup and then win lucrative transfers as a result of their performances. football transfer news examines the five most likely outcomes that might be expected in the near future.
Gakpo Cody
When Antony from Ajax became available for €100 million this summer, Manchester United nearly signed Cody Gakpo. However, the Dutchman has been instrumental for PSV Eindhoven this season, as he has contributed to 13 goals and 17 assists in just 24 appearances in all competitions.
Gakpo plays more seriously for the Netherlands than he does for PSV, but if he can bring his club style to the World Cup, not only will Man Utd replace the winger, but the existing bosses will be replaced as well. Due to monetary concerns, he could have to sell his property.
Jamal Musiala
Since moving from Chelsea to Bayern Munich and then England to Germany in recent seasons, Jamal Musiala has been largely under the radar, especially with his former Young Lions teammate capturing much of the transfer headlines in Germany with his stellar play for Borussia Dortmund.
With Thomas Muller nursing a hip injury, Bayern could turn to Musiala, who has been involved in 22 goals across 22 games this season, in his favoured No. 10 role. Even Bayern would have a hard time keeping Musiala if he does well in Qatar.
Diogo Costa
Diogo Costa, Portugal’s No. 1, is the picture of composure despite the chaos surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes following Ronaldo’s heated chat with Piers Morgan.
With Portugal, Costa has surpassed Rui Patricio as the team’s starting goalkeeper, and he may soon do the same at Manchester United with David de Gea. By that time, he’ll have Diogo Dalot and Fernandes as comrades for both club and country, but Ronaldo will have long since left.
Borna Sosa
Borna Sosa is a mechanical helper. He can also play the position of left back. In addition, he is a left defender for a top Croatian squad. But the same can’t be said on the club level, as the 24-year-old is currently playing for a Stuttgart team that is in danger of relegation.
Despite this, he has already racked up eight assists across all competitions. If Sosa’s left-footed David Beckham-esque delivery performs well on the international stage, he won’t be at Stuttgart for very long.
Michy Batshuayi
Michy Batshuayi has played for two of the biggest clubs in European football—Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund—but he was never given much of a chance at Chelsea and he scored nine goals in 14 games for Dortmund when on loan in the beginning of 2018.
Batshuayi, who has been on fire lately for Turkish club Fenerbahce, may replace Romelu Lukaku as Belgium’s starting striker at the upcoming World Cup if Lukaku continues to struggle. Had scored three goals and assisted on three more in the UEFA Nations League prior to the tournament.