10 transfer sagas we expect to see in the 2024 summer window
- Summer transfer window is likely to be busy across Europe
- A number of the world's biggest clubs will have new managers
- Plenty of players could become embroiled in transfer sagas
It's not long now until the circus of the summer transfer window rolls into town.
After a particularly tame January of purse pinching, the market is set to be explosive this summer as Europe's elite return to their extravagant spending sprees.
There are already plenty of rumours circling about potential summer deals, but transfers are seldom straightforward these days, with fierce and public tug-of-wars for the planet's most promising players.
With a wealth of stories already filling newspaper columns, let's take a look at ten transfer sagas that are likely to develop this summer.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future remains uncertain, despite the fact that the Egyptian has been at his devastating best again this season. The Reds will be eager to keep their 31-year-old superstar at Anfield, but his contract is set to expire in 2025 and talks over a new deal have not reached a conclusion one way or the other.
It's no secret that Saudi Arabia are simply desperate to sign the attacker and were even willing to offer upwards of £150m-200m for him last summer. Liverpool resisted the urge to cash in on Salah, but the Saudi Pro League will be back for him in the coming transfer window, that's for certain.
With no new deal in place and Jurgen Klopp having announced his departure at the end of the season, could Salah follow the 56-year-old out of the exit door?
Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen has been an absolute sensation at Napoli since making the move in 2020 and even helped guide the club to their first Serie A title in over three decades last season. The Nigerian striker has been relentless in front of goal, but his relationship with his employers is far from perfect.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed that Osimhen is likely to leave Naples this summer, with speculation suggesting he could well end up in the Premier League. Chelsea are one of those touted with significant interest, while the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid admire the 25-year-old.
With the 2023 African Footballer of the Year likely costing well over £100m, it could be a long and drawn out saga this summer as clubs fight for his signature.
Joshua Kimmich
A player who has spent over nine years at Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich could be departing the Allianz Arena this summer. The 29-year-old remains a supremely talented individual despite some criticism of his recent performances, with a number of clubs circling the German midfielder.
World champions Manchester City are among those expected to court Kimmich in the summer window, while Barcelona are well documented admirers of the Champions League winner, but the latter could likely only afford him when his Bayern contract expires in 2025.
Of course, there is also the possibility that he extends his stay in Bavaria, especially if Bayern appoint an exciting successor to Thomas Tuchel.
Rafael Leao
Rafael Leao has blossomed into one of Europe's most devastating wingers in recent years at Milan, with his brilliance having understandably alerted him to Europe's other elite sides. The Portuguese international was the subject of serious interest from Chelsea last summer and is likely to be hot property again this year.
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly eyeing the 24-year-old as the perfect Kylian Mbappe replacement and are likely to use their financial muscle to persuade the attacker of a move to the French capital. Milan have a real battle on their hands to keep him in Italy.
Alphonso Davies
It could be a summer of significant unrest at Bayern in terms of transfers, with Alphonso Davies being another player who may possibly be poached. The Canadian left-back has been one of the stronger performers for the subpar Bundesliga champions this term, but he may not be donning a Bayern jersey for too much longer.
Davies is being followed closely by Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, with the 23-year-old likely more tempted by the prospect of lining up alongside Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and almost certainly Mbappe in the Spanish capital.
Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho's public feud with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag led to the English winger, who has struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford, returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.
However, there is reportedly no option in Sancho's loan deal that allows Dortmund to sign him permanently, meaning his future will be up in the air again this summer. Whether the Red Devils simply want to protect his value before moving him on in the next window remains to be seen, but his days seem numbered in Manchester.
How much of the £72m spent can Man Utd recoup if they do decide to sell?
Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney has never been shy in alerting other clubs to his availability and it was no different last January. The Brentford striker publicly flirted with a west London exit as he looks to take the next step in his career.
After returning from a lengthy gambling ban at the beginning of 2024, Toney has taken little time in rediscovering his goalscoring form and the 27-year-old's impressive displays make him a desirable asset.
Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked as they seek more orthodox number nines, but a potential £100m price tag could prove an insurmountable hurdle to his exit this summer.
Frenkie de Jong
A transfer window rarely passes by these days without Frenkie de Jong's Barcelona exit being touted, despite the Dutchman's continued insistence that he is content in Catalonia. But, regardless of the midfielder's frustrations with frequent rumours regarding his future, links persist with the Premier League.
Manchester United are known to be long-term suitors, and Ten Hag is said to be keen to work with De Jong again after their impressive stint at Ajax together. However, Chelsea are also interested in adding yet another expensive name to their midfield this summer in the form of the 26-year-old.
Lucas Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta came incredibly close to joining Manchester City last summer, but an £80m deal never materialised.
However, the Citzyens are not ready to give up on the talented West Ham United attacking midfielder just yet and are primed to return for the 26-year-old this summer. The Irons showed during their £105m sale of Declan Rice that they can be firm negotiators, so this one could go back and forth.
Joao Palhinha
Joao Palhinha was desperate to join Bayern last summer, even turning up in Bavaria to complete his medical, do his first media interviews and take photos in the club kit only for his transfer to fall through late on deadline day.
The Portuguese international has had to settle for another season at Fulham after his failed transfer, with January interest in the defensive midfielder not materialising into anything concrete. Whether Bayern remain keen on signing the 28-year-old is unknown, but he is likely to have his share of suitors again this summer.
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