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Euro 2024: Five France stars who could move clubs this summer
Euro 2024 is around the corner and France are firm favourites to claim a title they last won back in 2000.
Coach Didier Deschamps has a ridiculously well-stocked squad at his disposal and is sure to leave players out of his 23 who would walk into the starting XIs of many other top teams.
However, France will need to come together a lot better than at Euro 2020, where they slipped out of the tournament at the last 16 stage.
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To do so they will need electrifying contributions from stars like Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, but there will be also space for some emerging talents to shine.
Plenty of those in and around the France squad have been linked with transfers ahead of the summer window and here we have a look at FIVE France players who could be on the move.
Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid beckons for the France captain. The 25-year-old superstar will bring down the curtain on a seven-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this season, having declined the opportunity to trigger a money-spinning one-year contract extension.
The Mbappe - Real Madrid story goes back to his childhood, when he was an avowed Madrid fan. He visited the club as a teenager with Zinedine Zidane among those Madrid figures who tried to woo him towards the Spanish capital.
He instead went to Monaco and onto PSG, making history along the way. In 2022, as the expiration date of his previous deal approached, it was widely expected he would leave for the Bernabeu. However, a last-minute change of mind made Madrid furious and PSG deliriously happy.
It’s all changed now with Mbappe set to fulfil his destiny of pulling on the famous white kit at last.
Mike Maignan
“Magic Mike” is now listed among the very best goalkeepers in the world, having excelled at both Lille and AC Milan, winning league titles with each.
The 28-year-old is out of contract in 2026 at San Siro and it’s not widely expected that the French No.1 will renew terms with the Italian giants.
Consequently Maignan has been linked with a transfer to the very biggest clubs in Europe ahead of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea have long been regarded as his top suitors and there remains significant uncertainty over their goalkeeping position. Also linked have been Manchester United, who made a poor decision to sign Andre Onana from Inter Milan last summer for €55 million.
One to watch, however, is Real Madrid, with Thibaut Courtois set for a renewed spell on the sidelines owing to yet another knee injury. Expect Milan to be fielding bids of up to €70m for the French Guiana-born shot stopper.
Theo Hernandez
The Canadian left back’s entourage have not reacted well to Bayern Munich’s recent “ultimatum” regarding a new contract and it’s no secret the 23-year-old already has one eye on Real Madrid. That move would leave a starting slot available in the Bayern backline with Theo Hernandez, brother of former Bayern star Lucas, in the frame for a move to Bavaria.
The 26-year-old is an elite left back for AC Milan but with the Frenchman only under contract until 2026, the Rossoneri could have a decision to make this summer.
Hernandez could fetch around €60m with Chelsea and Manchester United also credited with interest in the former Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid player.
Khephren Thuram
Another member of the prestigious Thuram footballing family, Nice midfielder Khephren is destined for the biggest stage.
A very different player to brother Marcus, a striker, Khephren is a strapping central midfielder with a deft touch, who has come onto the radar of Liverpool, Manchester United, like Nice owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, and, in recent weeks, Barcelona.
The 23-year-old’s father Lilian is a former Barca player and, as a child, the young Khephren could be spotted running around the training ground with world class Barca stars like Thierry Henry, who later managed him at Monaco.
He is out of contract at Nice in 2025, having joined in 2019, and is seen by the Catalans as a “low cost” solution to their midfield issues this summer.
Thuram has been flitting between the French seniors and the under-23s and, with the Olympic Games in Paris approaching, could be one of the stars of Henry’s Olympian outfit should he fail to make the Euro 2024 squad.
Jean-Clair Todibo
Manchester United’s search for a much-needed central defender could lead them to the door of sister club Nice, who are fully owned by INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
There they will find France international Jean-Clair Todibo, formerly of Barcelona.
Tottenham are reported to have walked away from a move for the 24-year-old back in January owing to concerns that they wouldn’t be getting value for money.
🚨 'If you're not happy, f*** off!'
It's all going wrong at Nice, with the Ultras taking a pop at Jean-Clair Todibo after tonight's 2-1 loss at home against Montpellier amid heated scenes.
Todibo linked with a transfer to Man Utd and Liverpool.pic.twitter.com/pmZZ9DVuC9— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) March 8, 2024
Nice are adamant that Todibo is worth around €55m to €60m but his suitors so far believe he’s worth closer to €40m. But as Todibo is under contract until 2027, his club are in control.
He has however been criticised by elements of his own support this season, leading to conflict with fans at the end of a recent Ligue 1 defeat at home.
Read more about: La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Premier League, Barcelona, Bayern, Chelsea, Inter, Man Utd, Milan, Nice, PSG, Real Madrid, Jean-Clair Todibo, Khéphren Thuram, Kylian Mbappé, Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez
