Osimhen to Man Utd, Vlahovic to Chelsea: Seven big transfers that could be sealed before the World Cup ends

Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are among the clubs poised to accelerate transfer business this summer by targeting world-class players who will not be competing at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The transfer window opens on 15 June, and with a number of star names free from international duty, clubs are expected to push through deals earlier than usual as they prepare for the 2026/27 season under new managers.

Victor Osimhen

United have reportedly made Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen a “priority target”, though Atletico Madrid have also made an enquiry, according to Spanish outlet AS. The 27-year-old Nigerian — whose nation failed to qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament — joined Galatasaray initially on loan from Napoli before the move was made permanent for £64.8 million. He scored 22 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions this season. Galatasaray are not expected to sell cheaply, and United’s current striker options are limited to Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee.

Mateus Fernandes

West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes missed out on Portugal’s World Cup squad but remains one of the most sought-after players in Europe. United have reportedly been quoted £80 million for the 21-year-old, while Liverpool are also said to be in contention. Fernandes joined West Ham from Southampton for £38 million last summer but could not prevent the club’s relegation. He has four years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium.

Sandro Tonali

With Casemiro set to leave Old Trafford, reports in Italy suggest Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali is “on his way” to United, with the Red Devils reportedly prepared to pay around £87 million. Tonali joined Newcastle for £55 million in July 2023 and is contracted at St James’ Park until 2029, with an option to extend by a further year. His agent, Giuseppe Riso, has been vocal about a potential exit, and Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup removes a key obstacle to completing a deal during the summer window.

Dusan Vlahovic

Chelsea are among the clubs linked with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, whose contract situation in Turin has attracted widespread attention. Serbia did not qualify for the World Cup, leaving the 25-year-old available for transfer discussions throughout the tournament period.

The Bigger Picture

The absence of several high-profile players from the World Cup — whether through national team failure to qualify or squad omission — creates an unusual window of opportunity for clubs to negotiate and finalise deals without the disruption of international fixtures. United, in particular, appear to be the most active, with links to multiple positions across the squad as they reshape under their new managerial setup. Liverpool and Chelsea are also expected to be significant movers in what could be one of the busiest early-summer transfer periods in recent memory.