Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Jr and 20 Players Who Will Define the 2026 Summer Transfer Window

Why Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Jr and the Next Generation Will Shape the 2026 Summer Transfer Window

And just like that, the January transfer window has slammed shut once again. It may not have delivered the chaos, drama and nine-figure deals we sometimes crave, but that calm often tells its own story. History shows us that quiet winters usually set the stage for explosive summers — and all signs suggest that the 2026 summer transfer window could be one of the most fascinating in recent memory.

With the World Cup in North America looming large, clubs are already positioning themselves. Breakout stars will emerge, reputations will be rewritten, and established names like Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Jr may find themselves at the heart of sagas that dominate headlines for weeks. From elite forwards nearing the end of their prime to teenage prospects ready to explode onto the global stage, this summer feels like a crossroads moment.

Here are the players — stars, sleepers and superstars — who look set to define the 2026 summer transfer window.

Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund)

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Ever since Karim Adeyemi aligned himself with super-agent Jorge Mendes, the writing has been on the wall. Borussia Dortmund know this story well. Talented forwards arrive, shine, and eventually leave.

Adeyemi’s contract situation only adds fuel to the fire. With less than 18 months remaining, Dortmund are facing a familiar dilemma: sell now or risk losing value later. Interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Tottenham and Napoli has been constant, and at 24, Adeyemi fits the age profile perfectly for clubs seeking speed, versatility and resale potential.

A cut-price deal feels inevitable — and highly competitive.

Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)

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Few forwards blend work rate, intelligence and ruthlessness like Julian Alvarez. While his immediate focus will be on leading Argentina at the World Cup, Atletico Madrid are bracing themselves for serious interest once the tournament ends.

Barcelona see him as the long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, while Arsenal continue to monitor him closely after mixed returns from their own striking options. Atletico, though, are in no rush. Any deal will start north of €100 million — and for a 26-year-old entering his peak, that valuation makes sense.

Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)

Nottingham Forest v Brighton & Hove Albion – Premier League

The rise of Elliot Anderson has been one of English football’s quieter success stories — but that is about to change. Now a regular alongside Declan Rice for England, Anderson looks primed to be one of the World Cup’s breakout midfielders.

Nottingham Forest know what they have. So do Manchester United and Manchester City, both of whom are tracking his progress closely. A £100 million price tag sounds bold, but in today’s market, it reflects both potential and scarcity. If Anderson shines on the world stage, Forest’s leverage only grows.

Carlos Baleba (Brighton)

Brighton & Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League

Brighton’s model remains unchanged: develop, sell, reinvest. Carlos Baleba may not have matched the heights of his breakout campaign, but his ceiling remains sky-high.

Manchester United’s interest has never fully cooled, particularly with Casemiro nearing the end of his time at Old Trafford. While Brighton once demanded £115 million, a more realistic valuation could see Baleba finally take the next step — and the Seagulls still turn a hefty profit.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)

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Still only 18, Ayyoub Bouaddi already plays like someone years beyond his age. His Champions League performances last season announced him to Europe, and Lille’s decision to extend his contract felt more like a financial manoeuvre than a long-term commitment.

PSG are circling, eager to keep elite French talent at home, but Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are all watching closely. Bouaddi feels like the kind of midfielder clubs build around for a decade.

Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig)

RB Leipzig v Sport-Club Freiburg – Bundesliga

Few players have risen faster than Yan Diomande. From obscurity at Leganes to Bundesliga stardom, his journey has been breathtaking.

Leipzig’s business model suggests a sale is inevitable — and with a €100 million valuation, they are set for another windfall. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all see Diomande as a potential game-changer, and at just 19, he fits perfectly into long-term planning.

Ederson (Atalanta)

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Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Manchester United v Fulham – Premier League

Even in turbulent times, Bruno Fernandes continues to deliver. Assists, leadership, relentlessness — it’s all still there.

But Saudi Arabia has not gone away. Fernandes turned down Al-Hilal once, yet whispers of another £100 million bid refuse to fade. With United balancing financial realities and squad evolution, this summer could mark the end of an era at Old Trafford.

Leon Goretzka (Free Agent)

FC Bayern Munchen v Sport-Club Freiburg – Bundesliga

Free agents always shape summers, and Leon Goretzka may be the most intriguing of them all. At 31, with nearly 300 Bayern appearances, he still has plenty to offer.

Experience, physicality, big-game temperament — clubs chasing titles or European stability will be tempted. Expect plenty of quiet conversations behind the scenes.

Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)

Liverpool v Burnley – Premier League

Liverpool are racing the clock with Ibrahima Konate. Contract talks continue, but uncertainty remains.

At 27, Konate is entering his prime, and centre-backs of his profile rarely lack suitors. Real Madrid may have cooled, but others will step in if Liverpool fail to secure his future.

Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)

Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League

Financial realities may force Newcastle’s hand. Tino Livramento is admired across the league, particularly by Manchester City and Arsenal.

Injuries complicate matters, but his upside is undeniable. If Newcastle miss out on Champions League football, Livramento could become a valuable bargaining chip.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Crystal Palace v Chelsea – Premier League

For much of the final week of the January window it seemed that Jean-Philippe Mateta was on his way out of Crystal Palace. Nottingham Forest showed interest in acquiring the France international before AC Milan agreed a deal to bring in Mateta, only for him to fail a deadline-day medical due to a knee issue.

Mateta, then, finds himself back at Selhurst Park despite having made it clear that he sees no future for himself at Palace, and thus it would be a shock if he were not to belatedly depart come the summer. Of course, Oliver Glasner’s replacement could yet persuade the 28-year-old to stay, but with Jorgen Strand Larsen having already been signed to replace Mateta, such a U-turn feels unlikely.

Rodrigo Mora (Porto)

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The hottest prospect in Portuguese football right now, and one of the top teenage talents anywhere in the world, Rodrigo Mora almost left Porto last summer, only to reject a move to Al-Ittihad as he instead opted to remain with his boyhood club for one more season.

Attacking midfielder Mora, who has scored 15 goals in just over 60 appearances since making his first-team debut midway through last season, has been linked with PSG, Manchester United and Arsenal over the past 12 months, but could cost up to €70m (£60.5m/$83m) due to a release clause in the 18-year-old’s contract.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Liverpool FC v Qarabag FK – UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8

Few names loom larger over the 2026 summer transfer window than Mohamed Salah. Once seemingly untouchable at Anfield, the situation now feels delicately balanced.

With Saudi clubs ready to offer eye-watering sums and Liverpool facing the final chance to cash in, Salah’s departure feels less like a question of “if” and more of “when.” Losing him would be seismic — but football, as ever, moves on.

Savinho (Manchester City)

Sunderland v Manchester City – Premier League

Savinho seemed to be on the chopping block last summer when was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham amid City’s interest in Real Madrid forward Rodrygo. And though neither move came to pass, Savinho has failed to boost his standing at the Etihad Stadium over the course of the season while facing more competition for minutes from January addition Antoine Semenyo.

As such, the 21-year-old Brazil international will likely be on the move in a bid to earn starting opportunities elsewhere, with Spurs seemingly still keen on bringing Savinho to north London to supercharge their attack.

Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)

1. FC Union Berlin v Borussia Dortmund – Bundesliga

With his contract set to expire in 2027 and no signs of a new deal being agreed, Nico Schlotterbeck looks set to depart Borussia Dortmund in 2026 so as not to risk him departing on a free 12 months later. Bayern Munich had been mooted as the Germany international’s most likely destination, but Dayot Upamecano’s decision to stay at the Allianz Arena and sign fresh contract looks set to put pay to that.

Liverpool, then, could emerge as the lead suitors for 26-year-old Schlotterbeck, while Real Madrid are also on the lookout for defensive reinforcements as they prepare to bid farewell to free agents Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.

Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid CF v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid – LaLiga EA Sports

If Salah represents legacy, Vinicius Jr represents uncertainty.

His relationship with Real Madrid has cooled at times, and Saudi Arabia’s interest has been relentless. With Mbappé now the focal point and young stars waiting in the wings, Vinicius may face a career-defining decision.

Stay and fight? Or take the money, reset, and perhaps return later?

Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)

Juventus FC v Sporting Clube de Portugal – UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4

One of the more intriguing potential free agents, Dusan Vlahovic has not lived up to the hype that accompanied his €70m move to Juventus back in January 2022. The Serbia international has mustered 64 goals in 162 appearances for the Bianconeri, but has gradually fallen down the pecking order during his four-year stint in Turin, and he will be allowed to leave this summer.

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion – Premier League

Will the last one out of Crystal Palace turn the lights off?… Eagles fans have grown used to losing their star players given their place in the football food chain, but with Ebereche Eze and Marc Guehi both having left in the past 12 months, and with Mateta and Oliver Glasner on their way out in the summer, they will be loathed to potentially also lose star midfielder Adam Wharton.

Harry Wilson (Fulham)

Chelsea v Fulham – Premier League

The concept of a player taking advantage of a ‘contract year’ is one that American sports fans are well versed in. Prospective free agents have long raised their game in the final year of their deals so as to secure lucrative offers once they hit the market, and it feels as if Harry Wilson has taken inspiration from those stories with his performances for Fulham in 2025-26.

A Summer That Will Reshape Football

This list barely scratches the surface, but one thing is clear: the 2026 summer transfer window will be about more than money. It will be about timing, ambition, and legacy.

For stars like Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Jr, it may define how they are remembered. For younger talents, it could be the launchpad to superstardom.

Either way, buckle up. This one is coming fast — and it won’t be quiet.