Transfer window preview: Top 50 players who could move this summer

With the summer transfer window set to officially open this week, we’re teeing up the wheeling and dealing by presenting 50 high-profile players – excluding free agents – who could be on the move in the coming months.

Note: Estimated transfer values provided by transfermarkt.com.

Premier League ?gbeng

Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)

Age: 30
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €28M

After his best season at Arsenal, Xhaka looks destined to depart. A deal with Bayer Leverkusen is reportedly near the finish line, with the Gunners simply waiting to secure a replacement before sanctioning the veteran’s move.

Moises Caicedo (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Age: 21
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €55M

Chelsea’s spending spree under Todd Boehly shows no signs of subsiding. Long-term target Caicedo can stabilize a midfield that’s likely about to lose N’Golo Kante. Brighton will make a fortune if this deal goes through.

Kai Havertz (Chelsea)

Age: 24
Position: Forward / attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €60M

Miscast as a striker during Chelsea’s tumultuous season, Havertz has emerged as a potential target for Real Madrid, who need to reshape their attack in the wake of Karim Benzema’s departure.

Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea)

Age: 29
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €40M

Kovacic, the perennially underrated Croatian, is reportedly in talks with Manchester City. The thought of the new European champions adding a press-resistant midfielder with elite dribbling skills is, frankly, frightening.

Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)

Age: 30
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €40M

Lukaku would much rather remain at Inter than return to Chelsea. The two clubs will need to work out some kind of agreement, though, which won’t be simple given Inter’s financial constraints. Another loan, perhaps?

Mason Mount (Chelsea)

Age: 24
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €65M

Manchester United are in hot pursuit of Mount, a midfielder just one season removed from hitting double figures in Premier League goals and assists. The Blues are reportedly demanding €80 million, which is stalling the operation.

Joao Palhinha (Fulham)

Age: 27
Position: Defensive midfielder
Estimated value: €35M

The Portuguese midfielder, a one-man shield, was in another stratosphere when it came to defensive actions this season. Palhinha finished atop the Premier League – by a landslide – in combined tackles and interceptions.

Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)

Age: 29
Position: Full-back
Estimated value: €60M

Manchester City didn’t miss Cancelo in the second half of the season en route to a historic treble. With Bayern Munich reportedly unwilling to meet his €70-million purchase option, City will welcome other bidders for an outright sale.

Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)

Age: 32
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €30M

Mahrez, an unused substitute in the Champions League final, is apparently the subject of Saudi Arabia’s latest mammoth offer. Al-Ahli are reportedly willing to tempt the silky winger with a contract worth over €100 million per season.

Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

Age: 30
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €25M

Nobody on this list is in more desperate need of a change of scenery than Maguire, who looks like he’s walking on eggshells whenever he steps onto the pitch for Manchester United. He’s the Red Devils’ captain in title only.

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Age: 29
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €90M

Is this the summer Kane leaves Spurs to seek more title-winning opportunities? More importantly, would Daniel Levy even sanction a sale? With Kane’s contract expiring next summer, the situation is coming to a head.

Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Age: 24
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €80M

One of the crown jewels of the window. The West Ham brass “promised” Rice he could leave to join a marquee club this summer, a pledge surely easier to honor after winning a European trophy. Arsenal are working to seal a deal.

La Liga ??

Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)

Age: 20
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €20M

One of Spain’s most exciting young talents, Williams’ direct style of play harkens back to old-school wingers always looking to put opposing full-backs under pressure. He’s destined for a big move very soon.

Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid)

Age: 23
Position: Forward
Estimated value: €50M

If only he could get a mulligan on the Atletico Madrid transfer. Though lucrative, the Portuguese forward’s career has stalled. His Chelsea loan spell did little to suggest he can realize the potential shown at Benfica.

Ansu Fati (Barcelona)

Age: 20
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €35M

His career besieged by injuries, Fati, unfortunately, looks nothing like the intoxicating young talent who seemed destined for stardom upon his initial breakthrough. Barca could let him go to ease their financial constraints.

Franck Kessie (Barcelona)

Age: 26
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €28M

Another player who could yet be a casualty of Barcelona’s monetary mess. Kessie has never seemed like a natural fit in Catalonia but still has admirers throughout Europe and could be a coup for clubs in need of midfield help.

Gabriel Veiga (Celta de Vigo)

Age: 21
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €30M

When you score 11 La Liga goals as a 20-year-old midfielder, everyone takes notice. The Spaniard, who reportedly has a €40-million release clause in his Celta de Vigo contract, has suitors both at home and, especially, abroad.

Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

Age: 24
Position: Defensive midfielder
Estimated value: €40M

Zubimendi has been tipped as the ideal replacement for Sergio Busquets at Barcelona, in no small part because Xavi himself has waxed lyrical about the Spanish international’s “extraordinary” ability to control the midfield.

Serie A ??

Rafael Leao (AC Milan)

Age: 24
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €80M

Leao’s future seemed set when he signed an extension until 2028 that includes a €175-million release clause. But the firing of Milan icon Paolo Maldini as technical director has reportedly unsettled the superstar, creating a new wave of rumors.

Rasmus Hojlund (Atalanta)

Age: 20
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €35M

Atalanta stand to turn a handsome profit after Hojlund, plucked from Sturm Graz in 2022, turned heads in his first Serie A season. The Danish striker has all the tools necessary to be a prolific scorer at the highest level.

Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)

Age: 19
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €30M

Atalanta intend to dig their heels in and create a bidding war for Scalvini, an ascendant defender who already looks capable of anchoring the backline for Europe’s top clubs. Whoever signs the Italian will have struck gold.

Andre Onana (Inter Milan)

Age: 27
Position: Goalkeeper
Estimated value: €20M

Onana was instrumental in helping Inter reach the Champions League final. Ironically, that could have an adverse effect for the Nerazzurri, putting their ‘keeper on the radar of every team in Europe looking to upgrade in goal.

Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)

Age: 23
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €75M

Vlahovic’s underwhelming year was mainly the product of his surroundings at Juve. A dominant force at his best, the Serbian already has 61 Serie A goals to his name, a feat not lost on striker-needy teams scouring the market.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)

Age: 28
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €60M

Milinkovic-Savic has become a staple of lists like this in recent years. With his contract set to expire in 2024, though, there is real incentive for Lazio to cash in on their imperious midfielder, lest they risk losing him for nothing.

Kim Min-jae (Napoli)

Age: 26
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €50M

Manchester United have seemingly identified the impervious South Korean as their primary target to reinforce Erik ten Hag’s defense. Kim, a relative unknown upon his arrival in Naples, is now very much in demand.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Age: 24
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €100M

Osimhen is one of the few players available who can shift the balance of power in European football should he switch clubs. Aurelio De Laurentiis will hold out for a gargantuan sum, as he should, but his resolve will be tested.

Davide Frattesi (Sassuolo)

Age: 23
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €22M

Sassuolo have an excellent track record of developing young players and then selling them off for significant fees. Frattesi, whom Juventus, Roma, and multiple English sides are monitoring, is next on the conveyor belt.

Bundesliga ??

Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen)

Age: 23
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €50M

Lightning-quick and equally dangerous as a finisher or creator, Diaby hit double figures for goals and assists across all competitions this season. Xabi Alonso is enamored with the Frenchman, but so too are some outside suitors.

Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich)

Age: 27
Position: Center-back / left-back
Estimated value: €50M

Hernandez, coming off a torn ACL, is in the midst of a tug-of-war. Bayern are trying to convince him to extend his contract, while Paris Saint-Germain are making continued efforts to swing a deal and bring him to the French capital.

Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich)

Age: 31
Position: Forward
Estimated value: €45M

Injury and infighting disrupted Mane’s first season in Germany – he was suspended for striking teammate Leroy Sane in the face – and there are rumblings that Bayern are already looking to offload the former Liverpool ace.

Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)

Age: 19
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €120M

Barring a stunning turn of events at the eleventh hour, Real Madrid will win the race for Bellingham’s coveted signature. Having agreed to a deal in principle worth €103 million up front, Madrid’s midfield rebuild is all but complete.

Manu Kone (Borussia Monchengladbach)

Age: 22
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €30M

After missing out on the aforementioned Bellingham, Liverpool are trying to recreate him in the aggregate. Billy Beane would be proud. With two impressive years at Gladbach under his belt, Kone is on the Reds’ radar.

Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Age: 24
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €65M

Several teams are desperately searching for a striker this summer, and all of them should be calling Eintracht Frankfurt to inquire about Kolo Muani, who finished just one goal shy of the Bundesliga lead this season.

Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig)

Age: 21
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €75M

With Christopher Nkunku seemingly on his way to Chelsea, World Cup standout Gvardiol becomes the most sought-after player at Leipzig. The left-footed Croatian has been of interest to Manchester City for months now.

Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leipzig)

Age: 22
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €40M

Not to be outdone by his more acclaimed teammate Gvardiol, Szoboszlai will garner heavy interest this summer, too. The Hungarian, a two-footed midfield maestro, is a brilliant playmaker capable of scoring spectacular goals.

Ligue 1 ??

Axel Disasi (AS Monaco)

Age: 25
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €25M

Imposing in the air and capable of playing multiple positions across the backline, Disasi has reportedly caught the eye of Manchester United, who badly need additional defensive options to keep improving next season.

Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco)

Age: 24
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: €25M

It’s surprising that Fofana hasn’t yet made the leap from Monaco to one of Europe’s elite clubs, but that will soon change. Mature beyond his years, the French international will make one lucky sporting director look very wise.

Lois Openda (Lens)

Age: 23
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €23M

Leipzig are hoping to catch everyone else sleeping and secure a deal for Openda quickly. The Belgian fueled Lens’ remarkable second-place finish in Ligue 1 with 21 goals and will reportedly cost in excess of €30 million.

Jonathan David (Lille)

Age: 23
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €60M

David will definitely play a significant role in the impending game of musical chairs involving top-end strikers this summer. The Canadian found the net 24 times in Ligue 1 this season, his most prolific campaign as a professional.

Elye Wahi (Montpellier)

Age: 20
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €25M

Wahi enjoyed a breakout season in 2022-23, bagging 19 goals in the top flight of French football. Montpellier president Laurent Nicollin recently admitted that the young forward “likes Arsenal a lot.” Your move, Gunners.

Khephren Thuram (Nice)

Age: 22
Position: Defensive midfielder
Estimated value: €32M

Thuram, the son of legendary French defender Lilian, is one of the players Liverpool are courting. He’s slick in possession and the perfect age profile for the Reds, who are forging ahead in trying to rebuild a crumbling midfield.

Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)

Age: 31
Position: Forward
Estimated value: €70M

Lionel Messi may not be the only big name to leave Paris. PSG, under the guidance of sporting director Luis Campos, are shifting their team-building strategy and would let the Brazilian depart should a firm offer arrive.

Elsewhere in Europe (and beyond) ?

Goncalo Ramos (Benfica)

Age: 21
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €40M

Ramos is still riding high after his memorable showing at the World Cup. Losing him just one year after selling Darwin Nunez would hurt, but Benfica have long been adept at managing squad turnover and replacing key players.

Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord)

Age: 22
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €9M

Gimenez helped push Feyenoord to the Dutch title this season, scoring a team-high 15 Eredivisie goals. The Mexican could represent a true bargain for any savvy club willing to look outside the top five European leagues for talent.

Rodolfo Pizarro (Inter Miami)

Age: 29
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €3.5M

Messi’s imminent arrival has to have some squad ramifications in Miami, especially if any of his high-profile pals join him. Pizarro, a Designated Player who’s never really found his groove in MLS, could be sacrificed.

James Maddison (Leicester City)

Age: 26
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €55M

Maddison leaving Leicester seemed like a foregone conclusion even before the Foxes were relegated. Now, it’s a certainty. Tottenham and nouveau riche Newcastle are reportedly in a straight scrap for the crafty playmaker.

Xavi Simons (PSV Eindhoven)

Age: 20
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €30M

PSG reportedly have a buy-back option to re-sign Simons this summer for a nominal fee. After watching him author a sensational season for PSV, they might want to seriously consider it. The Dutch prodigy’s stock is rising fast.

Ivan Fresneda (Real Valladolid)

Age: 18
Position: Right-back
Estimated value: €10M

Fresneda’s release clause has reportedly dipped to €20 million following Real Valladolid’s relegation from La Liga. In this wildly expensive era, that’s a relatively modest fee for a player tipped to blossom into a star.

Romeo Lavia (Southampton)

Age: 19
Position: Defensive midfielder
Estimated value: €25M

Chelsea are monitoring Lavia, who could leave Southampton after their relegation. Manchester City reportedly retained a £40-million buy-back option when he joined the Saints, such was their desire to keep tabs on his progress.

Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP)

Age: 22
Position: Defensive midfielder
Estimated value: €25M

Ugarte was on the verge of joining Chelsea before PSG swooped in and reportedly made the Uruguayan an offer he couldn’t refuse. Until he’s officially unveiled, though, there’s always time for more twists and turns in the saga.