Alvarez, Anderson and the players who need a transfer after the World Cup

Analysis

Matthew Judge | Editor

There is no bigger shop window than the World Cup.

With normal life suspended for 39 days as the whole world descends on football’s greatest spectacle, players have the perfect platform to draw plenty of admirers.

And that is music to the ears of the players who are heading into the tournament with doubts at club level, and could do with a clean slate.

But which stars are we talking about and why should they be looking to find potential suitors after the World Cup?

With those questions in mind, FootballTransfers looks at 20 players who meet that criteria, choosing at least one player per group and each pick representing a different country.

Lee Kang-In (South Korea - Group A)

Once regarded as one of the most exciting dribblers around, Lee Kang-in has found himself on the periphery at Paris Saint-Germain, having made just 18 starts in all competitions last season.

And so Lee - who turned 25 in February and remains one of South Korea’s most important players - needs to impress this summer so he can attract a new club and get his career moving in the right direction again.

Tarik Muharemovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina - Group B)

After two successful seasons with Italian side Sassuolo, helping them achieve promotion from Serie B before finishing 11th in the top flight last season, Tarik Muharemovic may look to scale new heights after the World Cup.

The 23-year-old is not your typical Bosnian centre-back in that he is comfortable on the ball, while the fact that he is left-footed makes him even more attractive to clubs wishing to take a punt on him.

Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil - Group C)

Even if Arsenal had won the Champions League last season, the general feeling among fans is that the club would have needed to sign a new left winger regardless if they are to kick on next season.

And while that sentiment will sting Gabriel Martinelli, the 24-year-old - who has struggled to become a key fixture in seven seasons in north London - can use it as fuel to flourish for Brazil and raise interest in clubs willing to make him their go-to winger in 2026-27.

Nathan Patterson (Scotland - Group C)

The fact that Jake O’Brien - a 6ft 6in centre-back by trade - has been Everton’s undisputed right-back for the last 18 months is proof that Nathan Patterson must find a new club after the World Cup.

Patterson has made just 67 appearances in five seasons with the Toffees - a testing period which has brought four permanent coaches, one caretaker boss and two co-interim managers, with none of them fancying the 24-year-old.

Joe Scally (United States - Group D)

Joe Scally has been vocal about the fact that, after five-and-a-half-years with Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach, he could do with switching teams after the World Cup.

Both club and player have been on the decline for a little while now, but considering he has plenty of experience at just 23 years of age, the left-back may generate interest, especially if he catches the eye for the competition co-hosts.

Alexander Nubel (Germany - Group E)

Alexander Nubel has developed a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in Germany after three excellent seasons with Stuttgart.

However, all three campaigns have been on loan from Bayern Munich, a club with whom he has made just four appearances due to the presence of Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig, meaning the 29-year-old surely needs a permanent solution this summer - either in Germany or elsewhere.

Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast - Group E)

Heralded as one of the most promising central defenders outside of Europe’s top five leagues, Ousmane Diomande may look towards a new horizon after the World Cup, despite signing fresh terms in January.

The 22-year-old has won Primeira Liga twice, the Taca de Portugal once and reached the Champions League quarter-finals in three-and-a-half seasons with Sporting CP, meaning there is not much else he can realistically accomplish at the club.

Joel Ordonez (Ecuador - Group E)

Like Diomande, Joel Ordonez is another gifted young centre-back who is ready to start playing above his current station.

After collecting 124 appearances in three seasons with Belgian side Club Brugge, the 22-year-old is poised to attract attention for a rock-solid Ecuador side who also boast Piero Hincapie and Willian Pacho in their defensive ranks.

Takefusa Kubo (Japan - Group F)

A left-footed right winger whose high speed, mazy runs infield evoke the spirit of Mohamed Salah, Takefusa Kubo will be one to watch in a Japan side who scored an incredible 54 goals in 16 qualifying matches.

If he were to receive an interesting proposal following the World Cup, the time may be right for Kubo - who has just turned 25 - to leave Real Sociedad, his home of four years and with whom he has already captured the biggest trophy he is likely to win in San Sebastian (2026 Copa del Rey).

Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands - Group F)

Crysencio Summerville’s 2025-26 season is a question of "what if?", having been a major force in West Ham United’s bid to achieve Premier League safety before suffering a calf injury in March - a problem he never recovered from as the club eventually dropped into the Championship.

Having already proven he is a level above the second tier, having bagged 19 goals in that division while playing for Leeds United in 2023-24, the pacy, tricky left winger is expected to return to top-flight football next season, be it in England or elsewhere.

Omar Marmoush (Egypt - Group G)

Omar Marmoush was one of the most well-rounded forwards in Europe when plying his trade at Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt between 2022 and 2024.

And while the 27-year-old has since proven his worth at Manchester City, particularly by helping them secure Champions League qualification in 2024-25, he has faded into the background as Erling Haaland’s understudy - a role he is better than and should look to leave behind as soon as possible.

Victor Munoz (Spain - Group H)

In most cases it might be better for a player with only one full season of top-flight football under their belt to stay put and continue developing, but for Victor Munoz - who turns 23 in July - he is playing catch up a little bit.

And when you consider that his club side Osasuna only narrowly avoided relegation from La Liga last season, surely the dilemma facing the winger is not whether he moves or not, but making sure he picks a patient club who will accept he is both talented and raw.

Manuel Ugarte (Uruguay - Group H)

It just hasn’t worked for Manuel Ugarte at Manchester United, who the whole world knows are looking to sign two to three players in his midfield position.

However, with it being anticipated that Uruguay will draw plenty of interest thanks to Marcelo Bielsa’s presence on the touchline, the 25-year-old could get his career back on track if he is able to shine in the spotlight.

Maghnes Akliouche (France - Group I)

Having emerged through Monaco’s youth system to score 23 goals and register 28 assists in the last five seasons, right winger Maghnes Akliouche is ready to take the next step in his blossoming career.

The principality side sacked manager Sebastian Pocognoli after they hobbled into next season’s UEFA Conference League by finishing seventh in Ligue 1 in 2025-26 - all the more reason for Akliouche, 24, to push for a fresh start.

El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal - Group I)

While West Ham endured a torrid season which culminated in their relegation to the Championship, their scouting department deserves praise for unearthing flying left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf from the modest Czech Liga.

Predicted to be available as the Hammers look to raise funds to cope without the Premier League’s riches, the 19-year-old excels at crossing - an appealing quality to clubs who are keen to improve their attacking play in 2026-27.

Julian Alvarez (Argentina - Group J)

Putting Barcelona, Arsenal and PSG’s widely-reported interest to one side, Julian Alvarez needs a summer transfer regardless if he is to go to the next level in his career, especially considering he turns 27 next January.

While it is a slight concern that he scored just eight La Liga goals last season, you sense that Atletico Madrid - who finished fourth in Spain’s top flight, lost in the Copa del Rey final and were beaten in the Champions League semi-finals - may have taken the Argentina striker almost as far as they can.

Nicolas Seiwald (Austria - Group J)

One of Austria’s most impressive performers at Euro 2024, energetic midfielder Nicolas Seiwald will be hoping to star in another international tournament this summer.

And should he do so, the 25-year-old may look for a fresh club environment afterwards, having spent his entire career within the Red Bull system and its clubs RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg and FC Liefering.

13 – Austria’s Nicolas Seiwald has made the most tackles by any player at #EURO2024 so far, and without committing a single foul. The only player on record (since 1980) to make more tackles without conceding a foul in a EUROs group stage is Philipp Lahm in 2008 (14). Clean. pic.twitter.com/x1ZLojmkZG

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 27, 2024

Jhon Lucumi (Colombia - Group K)

There will be plenty of eyes on Jhon Lucumi and Colombia after the South American side impressed in World Cup qualifying, finishing in third place and above Uruguay and Brazil.

Having performed well for a Bologna side who won the Coppa Italia in 2025 and reached the Europa League quarter-finals last season, Lucumi - who turns 28 at the end of June - may feel he has achieved all he can with the Rossoblu and that a new, exciting challenge awaits.

Goncalo Ramos (Portugal - Group K)

After scoring a hat-trick against Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup, you would be forgiven for thinking Goncalo Ramos was about to become one of Europe’s most prolific strikers.

However, the 24-year-old has not only been used sparingly by Portugal in recent years but he is also behind Ousmane Dembele in the PSG pecking order, meaning he desperately needs to seek pastures new this summer.

Elliot Anderson (England - Group L)

While Nottingham Forest are owed huge credit for turning Elliot Anderson into one of the Premier League’s finest midfielders, his stunning performances over the last nine months are clear evidence he has now outgrown them.

The 23-year-old, who is comfortable as a No. 6 for England and a No. 8 for Forest, is already qualified to join a huge club - the only thing left to decide is his price tag, which will continue to rise if he captivates at the World Cup.

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Written by

Matthew Judge | Editor

Matthew Judge is a freelance sports writer from Liverpool, United Kingdom. He has worked for/had words published by Everton Football Club, The Independent, Daily Mirror, Stats Perform, Goal, and Squawka, among others.

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