10 World Cup Stars Poised for Summer Transfers After Shining in North America

The World Cup often shifts careers dramatically. The stage is unmatched, and standout players suddenly become the focus of intense interest from clubs worldwide. This summer will reflect that pattern once again as the 2026 tournament, the largest ever, has showcased even more talent than before.

For instance, Newcastle recently agreed on a £51.5 million ($69 million) deal for Johan Manzambi, a 20-year-old attacker who helped Switzerland reach the quarterfinals. Beyond him, several others have caught eyes and could move soon.

Elijah Just (New Zealand)

Motherwell may not rush to sell Elijah Just, signed only last summer from Horsens, but his value has soared after scoring three goals at the World Cup. Chris Sutton noted Just’s market price might now include extra zeros. Celtic and Toulouse are reportedly interested, with the winger possibly fetching around £4 million after netting seven times in his debut season.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa)

Agent Basia Michaels revealed that top clubs have already made inquiries about Mbokazi. The 20-year-old defender played every minute during South Africa’s historic World Cup run. Napoli and Nottingham Forest show interest, and Michaels believes Mbokazi deserves a Champions League platform.

Tarik Muharemovic (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Before the World Cup, reports linked Muharemovic to Inter and Juventus, with Juve holding a 50% sell-on clause after his Sassuolo transfer. Both Serie A giants now regret missing out as Sassuolo raised their asking price. Premier League clubs like Sunderland have joined the chase, but the defender still favors a move to Milan. The highest bidder might claim the 23-year-old soon.

Julian Quinones (Mexico)

Quinones, last season’s Saudi Pro League Golden Boot winner, has enhanced his reputation by scoring in four of Mexico’s five World Cup matches. Although Al-Qadsiah just extended his contract, the 29-year-old winger seems keen on the Premier League, suggesting a significant transfer fee could be involved.

Gilberto Mora (Mexico)

Liverpool leads interest in 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, who impressed after coming off the bench against Czechia and starting subsequent World Cup games. His raw talent attracts competition from Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. Valued around €40 million, Mora’s next step will be watched closely.

Antonio Nusa (Norway)

While Erling Haaland grabbed headlines in the US, Antonio Nusa also turned heads with his left-wing displays. Tottenham missed out in January but now plans a formal offer to RB Leipzig. Arsenal might try to intervene, recalling their success in signing Eberechi Eze from Spurs previously.

Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands)

West Ham’s squad overhaul includes Summerville, who raised his worth through dynamic World Cup performances. Though starting only twice, he contributed directly to four goals. Liverpool shows interest, alongside previous suitors like Fulham, with a potential £50 million transfer on the horizon.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)

The Lille midfielder stunned many by controlling Morocco’s opener against Brazil with calm beyond his 18 years. Tipped for greatness, Bouaddi is sought by Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United. Having started four of Morocco’s five games, he looks ready for a big-money move.

Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil)

Despite Brazil’s early exit, Bruno Guimaraes stood out with four assists. Newcastle’s captain wants to leave, and Arsenal aims to sign him, though a hefty fee near £80 million is expected. His World Cup showing maintained, if not boosted, his reputation.

Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)

Diomande’s speed and skill erased doubts about his top-level ability despite limited goal contributions. Liverpool appeared set to sign him before the tournament, but now Paris Saint-Germain is the favored destination. Leipzig plans to keep him one more year, yet a nine-figure deal to PSG seems likely.