Some players who featured at the Qatar 2022 may potentially secure a big move that will earn them big money in the coming January transfer.
Being known for kickstarting careers and propelling youngsters towards superstardom, the World Cup has been known for breeding these youngsters who later become major football stars. Of course, Qatar 2022 has not been any difference in that regard.
Players from every kind of situation at club level have made a huge impression on the tournament and are now the subject of all sorts of transfer talk ahead of the January transfer window.
But who is likeliest to move? And who has added the most to their pre-tournament value?
Here is the list of such players below;
Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco)- Sofyan Amrabat is under contract at Fiorentina until 2024, with the option of an additional year, and his agent has insisted that his client is happy at a club that has been very good to him. However, Alberto Maria Jimmy Fontana has also revealed that he has already received a number of phone calls from interested clubs regarding his client, which is hardly surprising, given Amrabat has been the best defensive midfielder at Qatar 2022.
Ritsu Doan (Japan)- Japan’s thrilling progression to the last 16 was very much a team effort, but a few individuals stood out, most notably Ritsu Doan, with the electric winger scoring crucial equalisers in the comeback wins over Germany and Spain in the group stage. The 24-year-old only joined Freiburg from PSV at the start of the season, but there is already mounting talk that Roma and even Manchester City are weighing up January bids for a player that is as hard-working as he is technically-gifted.
Joao Felix (Portugal)- Joao Felix will obviously be bitterly disappointed that Portugal’s World Cup ended at the quarter-final stage, after a shock loss to Morocco. However, he’ll take plenty of positives out of the tournament from a personal perspective, not least because Qatar 2022 has done wonders for his hopes of securing a badly-needed move away from Atletico Madrid after falling out of favour with Diego Simeone. The Rojiblancos will be just as delighted by Felix’s revival as it gives them a chance of recouping at least some of the eye-watering €126 million they paid Benfica for his services three years ago. Felix won’t fetch anything like that figure in January, but he reminded everyone of his talent in Qatar with one goal and two assists. He’s still only 23, remember, and the feeling is that the impressively versatile Felix would flourish in a more attack-minded side than Atleti.
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)- The introduction of Enzo Fernandez into the Argentina’s midfield has proven one of the most significant moments of the 2022 World Cup. The Benfica man made an instant impact against Mexico, scoring a stunning goal to seal victory in a must-win match, and hasn’t looked back, turning in one dynamic display after another.It was Fernandez, remember, who played the through-ball that led to crucial penalty in the semi-final win over Croatia. The kid can do it all, so it’s not in the least bit surprise that a player who only joined Benfica during the summer is already being courted by elite European sides such as Liverpool and Manchester City.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
Cody Gakpo was heavily linked with a move to England during the summer transfer window. So, interested in his services has only intensified after the winger’s impressive World Cup campaign for Netherlands. Manchester United and Arsenal are both said to be considering making a move for Gakpo and PSV’s director of football, Marcel Brands, has already admitted that the Dutch club would be open to selling the forward at the right price.
Goncalo Ramos (Portugal)- Benfica have done it again. In Goncalo Ramos, they’ve unearthed another gem that’s going to make them millions whenever they decide to cash in. Very few casual football fans knew anything about the striker before Qatar 2022 began, but he was catapulted into the spotlight after replacing the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal starting line-up for their last-16 showdown with Switzerland. The pressure on the 21-year-old’s shoulders was immense, but he made light of it, scoring three goals, and setting up another, on his first World Cup start. Benfica are in no rush to sell, but don’t be surprised if the offers start rolling in next month for a player that is already being touted as a possible Ronaldo replacement at United too.
Apex Football News 