BS Meter on the Latest Transfer Rumors After the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States is over after a thrilling five weeks of action.
With Spain having lifted the title following a 1-0 win over Argentina, the attention of football fans returns to domestic matters, and the summer transfer window is now dominating discussions and column inches.
But not everything you read should be believed, with the football press always willing to spin a yarn if it guarantees clicks. Unfortunately, that can mean the smell of BS hovers around every rumored switch.
Ahead, we've looked at some of the most notable suggested transfers doing the rounds and put them through the BS meter.
Bradley Barcola to Liverpool
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Liverpool's attack was tepid in the unsuccessful defense of their 2024-25 Premier League title, with just 63 goals compared to the previous season's 86.
A lot of that was because of Mohamed Salah's drop-off, but Cody Gakpo only mustered seven league goals, and Alexander Isak's season never really got started.
The Swede will at least get the benefit of pre-season heading into the upcoming campaign, but with Hugo Ekitike (11 Premier League goals in 2025-26) out for the next few months with a ruptured Achilles, attacking reinforcements are desperately needed.
The Reds are crying out for threatening wing play, and they have already invested in Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, but he feels more like a backup option with a high ceiling than a starting player. Really, a proper star is required to put the fear back into opposing defenses.
Bradley Barcola could be that player. The 23-year-old can play on either the right or left wing and had a fine World Cup with France, with three goals and an assist. But he's more of a rotation option for club side Paris Saint-Germain than a guaranteed starter, and he might welcome more game time on a team that really needs him.
PSG will be loath to let him leave, having scored 39 and provided 37 assists during his time in the French capital, but Les Parisiens should recoup a good fee and already have excellent options in the wing positions.
Barcola has been heavily linked with Liverpool all summer, with Metro citing reports in France back in June, and the move to Merseyside seems like a great fit.
BS Meter: Liverpool's interest is surely not BS, but can the Reds win the battle for his signature?
Michael Olisé to Real Madrid
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Links between Michael Olisé and a move to Real Madrid have been so strong that the Spanish club was forced to put out a statement in June refuting that contact had been made with the player.
However, those links will only get stronger after the 24-year-old's exceptional World Cup campaign with France, in which he led the tournament in assists with seven, breaking a record set by Pelé back in 1970 for most helpers at a single tournament.
While stats like that would help to convince Los Blancos to make a move anyway, the fact that five of those assists were for goals scored by Kylian Mbappé strengthens the case to bring the player to the Santiago Bernabéu.
If the pair can replicate that connection at club level, Real Madrid would be heavily favored to end its relative trophy drought.
But Olisé's star wasn't only on the rise because of his performances in North America. For Bayern Munich last season, he had 22 goals and 31 appearances across all competitions.
The question would be the fee. Real Madrid have shown no fear of spending huge amounts for the players they want in the past, and with José Mourinho hoping to make an impact in his return to the club, it's likely that president Florentino Pérez will sanction a big-money move for the right player.
Olisé is that player, but Bayern will surely dig in its heels for someone who is contracted to the club until 2029.
BS Meter: No BS here, but a deal might be hard to complete.
Julián Álvarez to Barcelona
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According to Sky Sports, Barcelona could be willing to spend up to €130 million ($148 million) to sign Julián Álvarez from Atletico Madrid.
As for the player, Goal observed that he has publicly declared his intention to leave the Estadio Metropolitano this summer, with Barcelona his preferred destination.
Since arriving in the Spanish capital from Manchester City in 2024, the 25-year-old has scored 49 goals and made 17 assists for Los Rojiblancos in 106 appearances in all competitions.
A versatile forward who does so much more than simply hang on the shoulder of center-backs, Álvarez would be an ideal addition to a busy forward line that has also been bolstered by Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.
There is clearly intent on both the player's and the club's part, but Barcelona's finances have been complicated for the last few years, and the Blaugrana might need to jettison a few players before adding any more.
The situation might be even more difficult following the World Cup. Spain's 1-0 victory in the final against Argentina ended bitterly, with brawls breaking out on the pitch after the final whistle blew. While Álvarez himself wasn't involved in the skirmishes, there might be some bad blood lingering between Barça's Spain representatives and La Albiceleste's forward.
Álvarez wouldn't be a direct replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who departed as a free agent and has signed for Chicago Fire, but he does fill the position the Pole has vacated. With Ferran Torres the only real other option up top, it's clear a top player is needed for the Blaugrana to defend their La Liga crown.
This one could drag out for a while, and whatever way it turns out, the animosity between Atletico and Barça will only grow.
BS Meter: Smells like roses, but that doesn't mean it will happen.
Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal
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Bruno Guimarães has been a Newcastle United hero since he arrived in the north east in 2022, playing a crucial part in a Carabao Cup triumph and helping the Magpies to the Champions League twice.
However, it always seemed like he was destined for bigger things, and the time might have come for him to leave St James' Park for a grander stage.
According to BBC Sport, the Brazilian has asked the club to let him leave, and Arsenal are said to be circling the 28-year-old.
In fact, football journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that personal terms have already been agreed between the two parties, and it's now down to agreeing a fee.
It's clear why Mikel Arteta would be keen to add Guimarães to his title-winning squad. He's a complete midfielder who could lighten the load on Declan Rice and add a different option to Martin Ødegaard and Martín Zubimendi in the center of the park.
Newcastle has already had to deal with the departure of a key midfielder, with Sandro Tonali joining Tottenham Hotspur. While they won't want to let go of captain Guimarães, the Magpies might not have much say in the matter.
With the Gunners signing just Christos Tzolis in the 2026 summer transfer window so far, the Brazilian could be the next man through the Emirates Stadium door.
BS Meter: Zero detected. Guimarães will be wearing red and white soon enough.
Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City
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The Athletic reported that Manchester City is among the clubs looking to sign World Cup breakout star Ayyoub Bouaddi, who anchored Morocco's midfield on the way to the quarterfinals.
The 18-year-old is on the books at Lille, who have valued the player in the region of $114 million.
If any club can pay that eye-watering sum, it's City. But they have already shelled out a reported $155 million for Elliot Anderson, a player who features in the same role as the Moroccan.
There's also the small matter of Rodri, perhaps the best defensive midfielder on the planet, who also calls the Etihad Stadium his home. However, there are murmurings the World Cup Golden Ball winner is a target for Real Madrid, per ESPN, so that could free up at least one spot in the engine room.
City might see that writing is on the wall, with Anderson the immediate replacement and Bouaddi a player who can step up now and well into the future. Spending close to $300 million for two defensive midfielders seems a bold strategy, but it could all become clear if Rodri heads for La Liga.
BS Meter: A hint of BS, but that will all go away if Rodri leaves.
Mohamed Salah to Besiktas
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After a hugely successful nine years with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah finds himself on the free-agent market after mutually agreeing on a contract termination with the Merseysiders.
While no longer at the level that propelled the Reds to title glory in 2024-25, Salah is still among the hottest unsigned players, and bringing him on board will be a boost on the pitch and in terms of notoriety.
On July 17, Footmercato's Santi Aouna reported the Egypt international had signed a one-year deal with Besiktas. However, Salah's agent quickly played down an agreement, saying the 34-year-old hadn't yet made a decision.
The rumors have persisted, though, and we could soon see him representing the Turkish Super Lig club. But suggestions of a possible switch to MLS or the Saudi Pro League are lingering in the background.
Heading to Turkey wouldn't be massively surprising, being relatively close to Salah's home nation of Egypt and offering a vibrant football culture that will welcome the Liverpool legend with open arms.
However, there's surely better money on the table from suitors in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, so a deal might not be all tied up yet.
BS Meter: A tough one to call, but the odor of BS won't seem to dissipate.
Aurélien Tchouaméni to Manchester United
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Manchester United are in the midst of a midfield rebuild, having signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa already. However, a third arrival is supposedly coveted, according to Sports Illustrated.
With Ederson no longer arriving from Atalanta after a deal fell through, the Old Trafford club are having to look elsewhere as Michael Carrick molds the starting XI to his liking.
TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey has said that United have checked on the availability of Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni, whose contract is set to expire in 2028.
However, ESPN reported that the France international has already signed a new deal with Los Blancos that will tie him to the club until 2031.
If true, that could make United's pursuit much more difficult. But as with a potential move to Manchester City for Ayyoub Bouaddi, Rodri could be an important domino. Should the Spaniard return to his homeland, Real might be keen to offload Tchouameni to free up squad space and recoup some finances.
It's all pretty convoluted, and while United might sense an opportunity, it just doesn't seem likely that all the pieces will fall into place.
BS Meter: The scent of BS is strong with this one.
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