Major tournaments are the ultimate shop window and several stars have certainly increased interest in their services at Euro 2024.
A number of names have placed themselves firmly in the minds of football recruiters and we’ve looked at a selection of performers that we think will earn high-profile transfers this summer.
Nico Williams (Spain)
Nico Williams might just be the most in-demand player at the tournament. The 21-year-old has been on the radar of top teams for some time but the explosivity of his performances in a superb Spain team has seen him shoot up scouting shortlists.
With a release clause rumoured to be in the region of ยฃ46m, Athletic Bilbao could be powerless to prevent Williams from leaving the Basque country this summer.
Haz lo que tรบ quieras, Nico. โ????โ????๏ธ#LALIGAEASPORTS | @willliamsssnico#LALIGAHighlights pic.twitter.com/LpbI3VGXGa
โ LALIGA (@LaLiga) December 27, 2023
The winger has insisted that he remains happy at the club where he came through the ranks but with Barcelona pushing for a deal and interest from the Premier League, an exit appears inevitable. Williams would surely be open to the prospect of linking up with Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal at club level next season, with the wing duo having tormented teams together at Euro 2024.
Georges Mikautadze (Georgia)
Georges Mikautadze’s goals propelled tournament debutants Georgia into the knockout rounds as the underdogs upset the odds to reach the last 16. Mikautadze scored in all three group games and is the joint-leading scorer at the tournament with just the final still to be played.
The 23-year-old endured a tough time after joining Ajax last season but was reborn after returning to former side Metz on loan. He scored 14 goals in 22 league games for the French side, who made the move permanent for โฌ10m. Metz are expected to bank an immediate profit on the Georgian goalscorer with AS Monaco leading the chase for his services. Roma and West Ham are rivalling that interest.
“What a moment for the country of Georgia!”
The Euros debutants are level against Turkey!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #TURGEO pic.twitter.com/qoXMNFzg4Z
โ BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 18, 2024
Ferdi Kadioglu (Turkey)
Turkey lived up to their billing as a potential dark horse with a memorable run to the quarter-finals. A thoroughly entertaining team contained endless energy with Ferdi Kadioglu a standout at full-back. The Dutch-born defender led his Turkey teammates for duels won (28), tackles (14), chances created (11) and interceptions (7), offering an all-action outlet down the left flank.
His lung-busting antics have seen speculation surface over a potential move from Fenerbahce to one of Europe’s top leagues, with clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United reported to have taken note.
Ferdi Kadioglu covered nearly every blade of grass down the left-hand side. ???? https://t.co/PAfTm91vsG pic.twitter.com/utS3diaPXF
โ Squawka (@Squawka) July 2, 2024
Baris Alper Yilmaz (Turkey)
Another member of Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey team, Baris Alper Yilmaz was the indefatigable spearhead of the Crescent-Stars. The 24-year-old’s campaign at Euro 2024 is perhaps the perfect example of why stats tell only half the story. Yilmaz failed to score or assist in five games, but his selfless work from the front set the tone for Turkey, unsettling opposition defenders and offering a real threat in transition.
The Galatasaray ‘forward’ is a unique profile of player and operated in multiple positions during the Istanbul outfit’s record-breaking Turkish Sรผper Lig title success in 2023-24, including in both full-back roles. He scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions for Galatasaray last season to earn his place in the national side this summer. Wherever stationed, Yilmaz leaves everything out on the pitch, the recipe for fan favourite status. Enquiries have already been made.
Francisco Conceiรงรฃo (Portugal)
Francisco Conceiรงรฃo’s effervescent performances for Porto saw the diminutive winger break into the Portugal squad ahead of Euro 2024, where the 21-year-old was used as an impact player by Roberto Martinez.
Full of flair and a desire to take on defenders, Conceiรงรฃo is similar in style to his father, Sergio, who memorably scored a hat-trick for Portugal against Germany at Euro 2000.
โฐ 90′ Subbed on
โฐ 92′ Scores the winnerTake a bow, Francisco Conceiรงรฃo ????#EURO2024 | #PORCZE pic.twitter.com/MBIGcQd1r6
โ UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 18, 2024
Conceiรงรฃo junior has been linked with Chelsea this summer, just a year after returning to Porto from a difficult spell at Ajax. A reported release clause of โฌ30m (ยฃ25.3m) looks like real value for a player of his potential, though interested clubs will need to move quickly with that figure set to rise next week.
Dani Olmo (Spain)
Another release clause that clubs are prepared to pull the trigger on, Dani Olmo can leave RB Leipzig for โฌ60m (ยฃ51m) this summer.
The Spaniard has had to be patient for his chance with La Roja this summer but has impressed whenever called upon to lead the race for the Golden Boot. Olmo has three goals and two assists for Luis de la Fuente’s side and has become the first Spaniard to score in three consecutive knockout round games at a major tournament.
???????? Scored. Assisted. Ran the attack.
What a performance from Dani Olmo ????@Vivo_GLOBAL | #EUROPOTM pic.twitter.com/yFGSaweEPy
โ UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 5, 2024
His semi-final winner against France was pure magic, with two terrific touches from a technician at the top of his game before firing a finish into the far corner. Manchester City have been heavily linked with Olmo and it’s not difficult to understand that interest. His ability in tight areas of the pitch looks like a match made in heaven for Pep Guardiola’s game plan.
Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia)
European football does not have a surplus of good goalkeepers, particularly those performing to a high standard at an age where most shot-stoppers are still learning their trade.
Giorgi Mamardashvili does not turn 24 until September but already boasts three seasons as a regular at Valencia and an inspired major tournament with Georgia.
He led La Liga for expected goals prevented in 2023-24 and has repeated that feat at Euro 2024. His (+4.1) goals prevented is largely thanks to a stunning performance against the Czech Republic, in which the Georgian made a staggering 11 saves.
Giorgi Mamardashvili. ????#LALIGAHighlights | @valenciacf pic.twitter.com/yEanIzN8tZ
โ LALIGA (@LaLiga) July 6, 2024
Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle are all admirers.
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