The World Cup is over but the ramifications are still being felt – and with the average length of a summer transfer saga rivalling a short ice age, that will be the case for some time. Some of the tournament’s stars have already been on the move while it appears a number of others will be. Here’s a selection…
Toni Kroos
The World Cup winner has officially moved from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid. Kroos’ Bayern contract was to expire next year and the Germans have cashed in, reportedly to the tune of €30m. He was one of the highest-rated midfielders in EuroFantasyLeague during the tournament and apparently caught the eye of Madrid even before the World Cup, the Champions League holders moving now rather than wait 12 months.
Alexis Sanchez
One of the World Cup’s revelations, Alexis’ face didn’t fit Luis Enrique’s new-look Barcelona and he was sold to Arsenal to make room for Luis Suarez. The Gunners will now benefit from his speed, dribbling skills and direct running, all of which were on show in Brazil, having beaten Juventus, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid to his signature. He’ll bring goals too, netting twice in four games this summer.
Luis Suarez
One of the strangest transfers in a while, the terms of Suarez’s FIFA-imposed biting ban mean he is barred from all football activity for four months – which includes playing, training, entering a football stadium or even attending a press conference to discuss his move to Barcelona from Liverpool, but doesn’t prevent the Uruguayan completing the transfer itself. £75m took Suarez to Camp Nou.
James Rodriguez
Reports in Spain say it’s only a matter of time before James leaves Monaco for Real Madrid. After claiming the World Cup Golden Boot it’s easy to see why Los Blancos want the Colombian, if not where he will fit in considering Carlo Ancelotti’s other options. A fee of €70m or so has been talked about, a substantial rise on the €45m Monaco paid Porto a year ago.
Antoine Griezmann
Close followers of La Liga have been talking about the Real Sociedad winger for a while but the rest of the world took notice this summer when he lined up for France. La Real usually struggle to hold on to their best players so it was inevitable Griezmann’s name would come up in the reams of transfer gossip during pre-season – Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are among the parties said to be interested, as well as Bayern Munich and Monaco.
