10 World Cup Stars Primed for Big Summer Transfers After Shining in North America

The World Cup has a unique power to transform careers. With the largest football stage comes unmatched exposure, and players who stand out suddenly become hot properties. This summer transfer window is expected to be lively, as the 2026 World Cup's expanded format means more stars catching the eyes of clubs worldwide.

Newcastle recently agreed to pay £51.5 million ($69m) for Johan Manzambi, the versatile Swiss attacker who played a key role in his nation's journey to the quarter-finals. But beyond Manzambi, several other players have boosted their value with notable performances across North America.

Elijah Just (New Zealand)

Motherwell may not rush to sell Elijah Just, who joined from Horsens last summer, yet his market value has clearly risen after scoring three World Cup goals. Chris Sutton noted that Just added "a few zeros" to his worth. Celtic and Toulouse are reportedly interested in the winger, who scored seven goals in his debut season at Fir Park and might command around £4 million, up from just a tenth of that when he arrived.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa)

Agent Basia Michaels revealed that top clubs have already enquired about the 20-year-old defender. Mbokazi, who played every minute of South Africa's historic knockout run, has attracted attention from Napoli and Nottingham Forest among others. Michaels expressed surprise at the interest but emphasized the goal is for Mbokazi to play in one of Europe's top five leagues and the Champions League.

Tarik Muharemovic (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Before the World Cup, Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Inter and Juventus were eyeing the 23-year-old centre-back. Juventus previously let him move to Sassuolo last year but included a 50% sell-on clause, now regretting not acting sooner. Sassuolo raised their asking price following his strong World Cup displays. Premier League clubs like Sunderland have shown interest, but Muharemovic still favors a move to Milan. Money might steer him to the Premier League though.

Julian Quinones (Mexico)

Quinones already made headlines by winning the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot last season with 33 goals. His World Cup form—scoring in four of Mexico’s five matches—may open doors in England. Al-Qadsiah recently extended his contract, so they hold a strong position to demand a hefty fee for the 29-year-old. Quinones reportedly dreams of playing in the Premier League.

Gilberto Mora (Mexico)

Liverpool are keen on Gilberto Mora, the 17-year-old midfielder who impressed after coming off the bench against Czechia. He kept his place in the lineup for games against Ecuador and England. Though raw, his talent is clear, prompting interest from Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. The youngster’s valuation now stands near €40 million.

Antonio Nusa (Norway)

While Erling Haaland stole much of the spotlight, Antonio Nusa also turned heads with dynamic performances on Norway’s left side. Tottenham had passed on signing him in January but now plans to bid for the 21-year-old RB Leipzig player. Arsenal might attempt to hijack the transfer, following their previous success poaching Eberechi Eze from Spurs.

Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands)

West Ham’s squad overhaul continues. Following Matheus Fernandes' £85m exit to Tottenham, Crysencio Summerville looks set to leave too. His World Cup impact increased his market worth; he contributed directly to four goals in four appearances. Liverpool and Fulham are among the clubs linked with the Dutch winger, whose transfer could fetch around £50 million.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)

The calm control displayed by 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi against Brazil stunned many. A Lille midfielder, he’s been tipped for top-level football for some time. Now, England’s biggest clubs—Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United—are all tracking him. Bouaddi started four of Morocco’s five World Cup matches and is expected to command a huge fee soon.

Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil)

Despite missing a penalty in Brazil’s round-of-16 loss to Norway, Bruno Guimaraes remained a standout. The Newcastle captain provided four assists throughout the tournament and has seen his value rise. Arsenal want to sign him, hoping to take advantage of his desire to leave Newcastle’s unsettled project. Still, they may need to pay at least £80 million.

Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)

Yan Diomande showed his quality with dazzling pace and skill, even though he didn’t score during Ivory Coast’s World Cup run. Liverpool led transfer talks before the tournament, but it now seems Paris Saint-Germain is his preferred destination. RB Leipzig wants to keep him for another season, but a nine-figure deal to PSG appears likely this summer.