{"id":1470155,"date":"2026-07-21T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1470155"},"modified":"2026-07-20T17:52:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:52:34","slug":"world-cup-stars-summer-transfers","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-stars-summer-transfers\/","title":{"rendered":"12 World Cup stars who could be on the move this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The World Cup<\/a> has always been a showcase for talent, and the 2026 edition was no different.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players from around the globe rocked up in North America, with some looking to put elite clubs on alert and others aiming to earn their big break at the highest level. Even veteran players can use the World Cup as a shop window, proving they still have what it takes to cut it with the very best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, here are 12 2026 World Cup stars who could be on the move off the back of this summer’s tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Bradley Barcola<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Country: <\/strong>France<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Position: <\/strong>Winger<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Current club:<\/strong> PSG<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Bradley Barcola was a key part of that much-feared France<\/a> forward line this summer. He featured in all eight matches, starting four, and helped himself to three goals and an assist. Only Michael Olise (7), Ousmane Dembele (8) and Kylian Mbappe (14) registered more direct goal involvements for Les Bleus<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      That comes off the back of a successful club season for Barcola, who hit 13 goals and eight assists across all competitions for double winners Paris Saint-Germain<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      However, Barcola is not a nailed-on starter in Paris, facing stiff competition from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue. The 23-year-old will want to change that sooner rather than later. And he must surely have his head turned by links to Liverpool<\/a>, who are on the hunt for a Mohamed Salah replacement. The Egyptian departed Anfield at the end of last season and has been subject to a recent offer from Besiktas. Arsenal<\/a> have also been whispered as a potential destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Ayyoub Bouaddi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Country:<\/strong> Morocco<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Position:<\/strong> Central midfielder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Current club:<\/strong> Lille<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Ayyoub Bouaddi pulled the strings for Morocco<\/a> this summer, with his standout performance coming in the 1-1 draw against Brazil<\/a>. He completed all but six of his 66 passes and mopped up with four tackles. This was all against elite established stars like Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        His level of maturity made it easy to forget that Bouaddi is just 18 years old, but he is, indeed, the second-youngest player ever to feature in a World Cup quarter-final, behind only Pele. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Ligue 1 side Lille<\/a> will be expecting a serious battle to keep their teenage sensation around this summer. Chelsea<\/a> are heavily linked with Bouaddi’s signature after selling fellow midfielder Andrey Santos to Manchester United<\/a>. The likes of Manchester City<\/a>, Arsenal, PSG, Real Madrid<\/a> and Barcelona<\/a> have also been mentioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Yan Diomande<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • Country:<\/strong> Ivory Coast<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Position:<\/strong> Winger<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Current club:<\/strong> RB Leipzig<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Yan Diomande was already drawing serious transfer speculation before the World Cup, following a 13-goal, nine-assist season for RB Leipzig<\/a>. But while he only managed one assist in four games at the tournament, he certainly caught the eye. The teenager averaged 2.99 chances created and 2.72 successful take-ons per 90 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Liverpool have already made a push for Diomande this summer but failed to meet Leipzig’s \u00a3100m demands. The 19-year-old still looks destined to leave Germany this summer, with Man Utd and PSG heavily linked. The player is understood to be favouring the latter, which could open the door for Liverpool to swoop for Barcola.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Gilberto Mora<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • Country:<\/strong> Mexico<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Position:<\/strong> Attacking midfielder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Current club:<\/strong> Tijuana<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Gilberto Mora was certainly a wildcard inclusion in Mexico<\/a>‘s World Cup squad. He entered the tournament with just 53 club appearances for Tijuana under his belt. Now, however, he’s the sixth-youngest player ever to appear in the competition, the youngest-ever Mexican and the youngest player at the 2026 edition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Mora certainly showed plenty of flashes of his talent. And, now, the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal are being linked with his signature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Regardless of what happens, Mora will remain with Tijuana until he’s 18 due to Fifa regulations. However, his impact at the World Cup could have his next step signed and sealed in advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Zion Suzuki<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • Country:<\/strong> Japan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Position:<\/strong> Goalkeeper<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Current club:<\/strong> Parma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Japan<\/a> came so close to dumping Brazil out in the last-32, before succumbing to a second-half comeback. But they still departed North America with plenty of credit in the bank. Not least thanks to the efforts of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              The Parma<\/a> shot-stopper averaged 3.0 saves and 1.75 high claims per 90, with his standout showing coming in the 1-1 draw with Sweden<\/a> that secured second-place in Group F. He made four saves, four punches and one high claim in the crucial result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Suzuki’s form this summer was an extension of his excellent performances for Parma over the last couple of years, and now, Newcastle United<\/a> and Leeds United<\/a> are thought to be monitoring him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Djed Spence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Country:<\/strong> England<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Position:<\/strong> Full-back<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Current club:<\/strong> Tottenham<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                Djed Spence was one of Thomas Tuchel’s most scrutinised call-ups this summer. That scrutiny hit fever pitch as England<\/a> scraped past DR Congo<\/a> in the last-32. The Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> man came under heavy fire for his performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                However, you have to give huge credit to Spence, who completely turned his tournament around with sensational performances against Mexico, Norway<\/a> and Argentina<\/a>, as well as France in the third-place playoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Despite being versatile and fast, Spence struggles to command a starting spot when Tottenham are at full strength. However, his showings for the Three Lions this summer have put him on the radar of multiple clubs, including Liverpool, Inter Milan<\/a> and Everton<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n