The excitement of the World Cup may be over but the excitement of the transfer market is just getting going. Transfers always tend to happen a lot later in a World Cup summer, due to the top players all being involved with their national teams. Now it is all over, we are starting to find out who is heading where for their next football challenge.
Ronaldo leaves a big gap to fill at Real Madrid
La Liga is already facing life without one of its biggest stars, as Ronaldo has moved to Serie A with Juventus. As part of Real Madrid’s need to replace him, it looks like Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is on his way to Madrid, followed by his Chelsea and Belgium teammate, Thibaut Courtois. That will obviously leave quite a gap at Chelsea but one player that is being linked with a move there is Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.
Chelsea could kick-start Dembele’s career
Dembele has had a mediocre first season at Barcelona following his big-money move; he has seen his game time limited and could be keen for a move away to kick-start his career. He had to watch from the sidelines as his teammate Mbappe grabbed all of the headlines at the World Cup, so a move to the Premier League could be just what he needs.
Barcelona to hijack Real Madrid’s move for Hazard?
Barcelona could use Dembele as a way to negotiate a deal for Hazard, taking him from under the noses of their La Liga rivals. Chelsea won’t participate in Champions League football at all next season, which could be a barrier for attracting top calibre players like Dembele but a loan move could be good for all parties concerned.
Willian is another player that looks like he will be heading out of the Stamford Bridge club, potentially to Barcelona or to Premier League rivals Manchester United. Chelsea has so far only brought Jorginho in but the next few weeks look like they will be very busy in the transfer market for Chelsea, as they start life without Conte as manager.