The World Cup is the biggest shop window on earth. And every club in the Premier League is staring it straight in the face right now, with a lot of money burning a hole in their pockets.
With the odd exception of Elliott Anderson, Niko Paz and Marc Cucurella, the transfer market has stopped. All those who plan to define it later this summer are invited to show off their skills in North America. It will open the door for some, but for others it will ruin a huge chance of making a big move at an even more dream-like wage.
But the World Cup has a reliable habit of introducing new superstars to spice up the game. Think Brazil’s James Rodriguez, Russia’s Kylian Mbappe and Qatar’s Enzo Fernandes. The latest edition of The Greatest Show on the Lawn is no exception.
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A player who is likely to hit the jackpot in the soccer world is Yann Diomande.
The Ivorian winger only joined RB Leipzig 12 months ago for £17.3 million, but is expected to move again this summer for more than five times that amount. Liverpool are interested in the player who scored 23 goals in 36 Bundesliga appearances last season.
Diomande, 19, is yet to feature in the World Cup, but he is tormenting defenders with his blistering speed and sublime dribbling skills. Something you can’t miss. His versatility is also appealing and there will be some competition if Liverpool decide to sign him.
Leipzig, meanwhile, wasted no time capitalizing on Diomande’s success, slamming a £100m price tag on the teenage sensation.
Yann Diomande shines at the World Cup after a great season with RB Leipzig (Image: Michael Miller/ISI Photos, ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Another star to make his mark is Brighton’s Yassin Ayari. The attacking midfielder took some time to settle down on the south coast after joining from AIK Athens.
However, last season he appeared in 29 games and recorded 3 goals and 3 assists, giving us a glimpse of his talent. And Ayali, who helped Sweden defeat Tunisia thanks to two impressive goals from outside the penalty area, emerged as one of the unprecedented stars of the competition.
He left his mark. However, it remains to be seen whether this will help him secure a new contract at the Amex Stadium. Ayali, 22, is set to become a free agent next summer, but the Seagulls may be tempted to cash in this time around, as Brighton have a knack for developing young talent and selling them for huge profits.
Newcastle and Aston Villa are keeping a close eye on the player, who will likely have no shortage of offers when he returns to action.
Yassin Ayari is a sought-after man with one year left on his Brighton contract (Image: 2026 FIFA)
Another breakout star is Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouadi. The 18-year-old could have pledged international allegiance to France, but chose Morocco instead. And the African nation, who reached the semi-finals last time out, should be celebrating Bouadi’s performance.
The teenager also impressed in his World Cup debut against Brazil, helping his side to a brilliant 1-1 draw. Since then, he has won much praise for showing maturity and composure beyond his years in the midfield engine room.
Chelsea have come to terms with the loss of Enzo Fernandes to Real Madrid and have identified him as a possible replacement for the Argentina World Cup winner. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Manchester City are also monitoring his development.
Ayyoub Bouadi is close to leaving Lille (Image: Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
Another talented RB Leipzig star is Antonio Nusa from Norway (Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto)
And let’s not forget Norway’s Antonio Nusa.
Erling Haaland could very well dominate the headlines for Norway. However, Nusa is not far behind him and continues to rapidly improve with his energetic performances and fearless attacks on full-backs.
Nusa looks capable of creating danger every time he has the ball in his hands, hinting that he will be a mainstay in the national team for years to come.
It also looks like he could leave Leipzig in search of an even bigger stage, and it’s entirely possible that some English clubs are ready to give it to him.
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