Updated B/R Football's 2026 Summer Transfer Big Board
With the World Cup now in the rearview mirror, clubs across Europe must now step up their transfer plans in the month of August.
Will we see Europe's biggest clubs make major moves? Which players could end up moving late in the window?
Our B/R transfer team of Calum Rogers, Leo Collis and Nick Akerman decided to put their heads together and come up with a list of the biggest transfers that could happen. Our rankings are based on notoriety, the likelihood a player will be switching teams and a potential fee.
1. Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid
1 of 10
Frontrunners: Arsenal
Dark horses: Saudi Pro League clubs
On Saturday, The Athletic's David Ornstein and James McNicholas reported that Arsenal are exploring a move for Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior, who is entering the last year of his contract in the Spanish capital.
It would be a sensational move for the Premier League champions. Even before Leandro Trossard's departure, the left wing looked like the area where they could make the biggest improvement to their starting eleven, and few bigger upgrades spring to mind in that role than Vinícius.
The BBC's Sami Mokbel and Alex Howell have reported Saudi Pro League clubs are also monitoring the 26-year-old Brazilian's situation, while Real Madrid are said to still be trying to extend his contract.
There would likely be a trade-off in signing Vinícius for Arsenal, with the Brazilian rarely showing the kind of intensity out of possession that has become a staple of Mikel Arteta's team. But while that style secured the team's first Premier League title since 2004, the potential to evolve it to accommodate a player with Vinícius' attacking quality would be worth the risk.
-Calum Rogers
2. Rodri, Manchester City
2 of 10
Frontrunners: Real Madrid
Dark horses: Barcelona
Rodri reminded everyone exactly who he is at the World Cup. Spain's dominant midfielder played an important part in winning the trophy; his ability to dictate play and guard the defence was a vital component of Luis de la Fuente's triumphant squad.
The Ballon d'Or winner's career has been crippled by injury since securing the individual award over Vinícius Júnior in October 2024, a player who may turn out to be his teammate soon enough.
Many were quick to write Rodri off when he first returned to action. Suggestions that his movement and quality had dropped were wide of the mark. He just needed to get fit. Now that the 30-year-old has his legs back, it's clear he remains the best midfielder in the world.
Jose Mourinho will know he needs to add quality to Real Madrid's soft centre after last season, so it should be no surprise that Los Blancos' returning manager is reportedly going after the most attractive option - who also happens to know La Liga extremely well and is a bona fide legend in the country.
- Nick Akerman
3. Julián Álvarez, Atletico Madrid
3 of 10
Frontrunners: Barcelona
Dark horses: Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal
This one could get messy.
Julián Álvarez has expressed his desire to leave Atlético Madrid, telling ESPN after Argentina's World Cup win over Austria, "I spoke with the people at [Atlético] who I needed to speak with. I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfill my dream."
Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, told reporters in the United States that the club had made a bid for the 26-year-old, saying, "The offer was made with the intention of signing the player that the sporting director and the coach like. I think he's a fantastic player; we're maintaining a substantial offer, but it won't be an unlimited one."
However, Marca has now reported that the Spanish football federation, RFEF, is investigating the Blaugrana for allegedly pursuing the player illegally.
We've still got more than a month until the Spanish transfer window closes on September 1, and this could drag out for weeks.
Still, it's clear to see why Barça are courting the player, who has scored 49 goals and provided 17 assists in all competitions for Los Rojiblancos and is a dynamic, energetic forward who would fit seamlessly into the La Liga champions' game plan.
But the door is still open to other clubs, and Atletico might be more willing to sell to a team that isn't a direct domestic rival. Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have both been credited with an interest by Sky Sports.
If he does make a move, the fee will surely be in the region of $150 million, making Álvarez one of the biggest likely transfers left on the market.
- Leo Collis
4. Enzo Fernández, Chelsea
4 of 10
Frontrunners: Real Madrid
Dark horses: Manchester City
According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Enzo Fernández "has made no secret of wanting to leave Chelsea."
We've already seen midfielders Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes move for huge fees this summer. By comparison, Fernandez may actually be decent value for money, even at the $161 million Chelsea are demanding, according to the BBC's Nizaar Kinsella.
Despite all being fine players, Fernandez possesses similar all-round ability to the aforementioned trio but has recorded far more impressive attacking numbers.
His 27 goal involvements over the previous two Premier League seasons are considerably more than either Anderson (16), Tonali (eight), or Fernandes (13) have managed in the same time span. And while he has been prioritized as a penalty area threat at Chelsea, he's shown playmaking chops from a deeper role previously in his career.
That sort of versatility would be incredibly valuable for any elite team, including Chelsea, should they manage to keep him. The price tag could take him out of range for many, but with transfer fees only likely to rise higher in the coming years, clubs may be better off taking the hit now to secure the 25-year-old.
-Calum Rogers
5. Bradley Barcola, Paris Saint-Germain
5 of 10
Frontrunners: Liverpool
Dark horses: Arsenal
Bradley Barcola hasn't played enough football considering how talented he is.
Just 21 starts and eight substitute appearances in Ligue 1 yielded 11 goals last season. He also netted three times at the 2026 World Cup, despite only starting half of France's eight matches. Circumstance has dictated that the back-to-back Champions League-winning winger is never quite relied upon every week, a result of playing for two of the deepest squads in football.
Liverpool appear to be closing in on the 23-year-old in an attempt to replace departing legend Mo Salah. Barcola has spent most of his career playing off the left wing, but he does have experience on the right. His dribbling, pace, and ability to bring the ball forward will slot in well at Anfield, wherever he is deployed.
The Merseyside club will have no choice but to pay in the region of £130 million for Barcola, such is the market set by Elliot Anderson moving to Manchester City for £116M and Morgan Rogers going to Chelsea for a million more.
New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola may want to get Cody Gakpo off the left wing after a wasteful campaign, so Barcola's versatility would instantly make him an important part of a squad that needs to improve on its poor title defence.
- Nick Akerman
6. Bruno Guimarães, Newcastle United
6 of 10
Frontrunners: Arsenal
Dark horses: Manchester United
It feels like a case of "when" rather than "if" Bruno Guimarães makes the move to Arsenal.
It looked likely even before the news that Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is set to leave the club, and the 48-year-old's departure has made a transfer near certain.
According to football journalist Fabrizio Romano, personal terms have already been agreed with a player who captained the Magpies to their first trophy in 70 years with a Carabao Cup title in 2025. During his time in the north-east, the Brazilian has made 195 appearances across all competitions, scoring 31 and assisting 32.
A complete midfielder, the 28-year-old will form a formidable midfield pairing with Declan Rice, easing the pressure on a player who missed just two games in the Gunners' title-winning campaign—and one of those came when the title was already sealed.
It's an ominous sign for Arsenal's Premier League rivals, who will find it even more difficult to break down a team that conceded just 27 goals in 38 games last season. Guimarães will provide another burly obstacle to pass as opponents transition from defense to attack.
- Leo Collis
7. Mohamed Salah, Free Agent
7 of 10
Frontrunners: Saudi Pro League clubs
Dark horses: Besiktas, MLS clubs
Of the remaining players left on the free agent market, Mohamed Salah is the biggest name.
While his final season with Liverpool was entirely underwhelming, this is a player who scored 34 goals and made 23 assists in all competitions for the Reds in their 2024-25 Premier League-winning season, and who left the club with a record of 257 goals and 123 assists in a nine-year stint.
There's still something there; he just might need a new environment to eke out his best qualities as his glittering career comes to a close.
The 34-year-old was reportedly on the verge of a move to Besiktas, but his agent played down those rumors, and the chatter has cooled down since. In fact, Turkish publication Fanatik, via ESPN, suggested that Salah's representatives scuppered the move because of their financial demands.
The Saudi Pro League long looked like a viable landing spot for Salah once his Liverpool exit was confirmed, and with the riches on offer in the division, negotiations should be a lot smoother if money really was the sticking point.
But don't count out MLS interest. According to Sports Illustrated, Sporting Kansas City has made a "lucrative" two-year contract offer for the Egyptian King, with the club having an open designated player spot.
Wherever he goes, Salah will draw eyeballs from the media and possibly attract new fans, making his signing a boon both on and off the pitch.
- Leo Collis
8. Cristian Romero, Tottenham Hotspur
8 of 10
Frontrunners: Inter Milan
Dark horses: Atletico Madrid, Manchester United
Cristian Romero's star has dipped somewhat after a difficult season in which he missed a total of 15 league games through injury and suspensions. When he did play, Romero was also too often a contributor to the defensive issues that saw his team concede the fourth-most goals of all Premier League teams.
All that has come after he missed 18 league games in the 2024-25 season, leading to plenty of questions about both his ability and availability.
Despite questions over his consistency, though, Romero has shown a tantalizing combination of defensive aggression and ball-playing quality during his time in London and in his performances for Argentina.
He has frequently voiced frustrations at Spurs, and at times those issues have appeared to affect his play. It wouldn't be surprising if a change of scenery sees the 28-year-old recapture his best form, but where that will be is a mystery.
Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Inter Milan's signing of John Stones won't prevent them from adding Romero as well, but it does feel like other clubs could still talk themselves into a deal if Tottenham's price comes down far enough.
-Calum Rogers
9. Luis Díaz, Bayern Munich
9 of 10
Frontrunners: Al-Hilal
Dark horses: Other Saudi clubs
Luis Díaz is entering the point of his career where a lot of temptation may creep in.
That could be a temptation for the player if a payday in the Saudi league appeals, or for his club, should Bayern Munich decide that selling him for an inflated fee is the right long-term plan for their finances.
While it seems both player and club are agreed that he should stay in Germany, the Saudi links are unlikely to go away. Díaz is only 29. He remains one of the most cutting wingers in the world and should be playing at the top level for years to come. The big, big contracts may dry up in Europe in the next couple of years, though.
This certainly seems one to keep an eye on. Like Salah and other dominant players based in Europe, Díaz is a big-name pull who would go straight into the Saudi division and dominate without much trouble.
- Nick Akerman
10. Christian Pulisic, AC Milan
10 of 10
Frontrunners: New York City FC
Dark horses: Other MLS teams
Reports indicate Milan has already turned down an offer from New York City FC for Christian Pulisic this summer. At 27 years old, it would be early for the United States poster boy to return home, but the more you think about it, the more such a transfer seems to make sense.
Pulisic has struggled with injury throughout his career in Europe. He's constantly got issues, ranging from torn muscles to strains to the leg fracture he sustained at the World Cup. There must be a part of the player who thinks that if he heads back to America, the slower schedule and drop in intensity could finally allow him to get fitter.
Milan will also be wary of Pulisic leaving for free next summer. He'd command a lot more interest from clubs in and out of Europe once his final year concludes. It would make business sense to cash in if the player gives any indication he's not fully committed.
Pulisic may even feel like he owes something to the US audience. He failed to perform at the World Cup, which was supposed to be a career highlight, after he took the Gold Cup off to get himself ready. He would be a genuine top-tier player in the US, share billboards with Lionel Messi, and get back to just playing the game that makes him happy without the nuisances that occur at the San Siro. That could be more attractive than it initially seems.
- Nick Akerman
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