The World Cup often overshadows major football transfers, and this year was no exception. From Leandro Trossard to Besiktas to Denzel Dumfries joining Real Madrid, here are 10 moves you may have missed during the tournament.
1. Leandro Trossard to Besiktas
Announced just before England’s semi-final defeat, Trossard completed a £15.3m move to Istanbul. After 174 appearances and 36 goals for Arsenal, the 31-year-old leaves as a cult hero who scored clutch goals during the club’s title-winning season.
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2. Nathaniel Brown to Bayern Munich
Brown’s energetic displays at left-back for Germany earned him a move to Bayern Munich. Born in Amberg, he developed at Nürnberg before impressing at Eintracht Frankfurt. With Raphaël Guerreiro leaving and Alphonso Davies recovering, Brown fills a key gap.
3. Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid
The Netherlands right-back, a force at major tournaments, triggered his release clause at Inter to sign a four-year deal with Real Madrid. He provided two assists at the World Cup and joins Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konaté as free transfers.
4. Gonçalo Ramos to Paris Saint-Germain
After a standout World Cup hat-trick against Switzerland, Ramos moved from Benfica to PSG in a €80m deal. The 22-year-old striker brings youth and finishing ability to the French champions.
5. Other Notable Transfers
- Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City for €90m
- Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid for €103m
- Rasmus Højlund to Manchester United for €75m
- Moisés Caicedo to Chelsea for €115m
- Harry Kane to Bayern Munich for €100m
Transfer Fee Comparison Table
| Player | From | To | Fee (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jude Bellingham | Borussia Dortmund | Real Madrid | 103m |
| Moisés Caicedo | Brighton | Chelsea | 115m |
| Harry Kane | Tottenham | Bayern Munich | 100m |
| Josko Gvardiol | RB Leipzig | Manchester City | 90m |
| Rasmus Højlund | Atalanta | Manchester United | 75m |
Key Takeaways
- World Cup performances directly influenced several high-profile transfers.
- Clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich capitalized on free agents and release clauses.
- Young stars like Ramos and Bellingham commanded record fees.
- Veterans like Trossard and Dumfries secured moves to top European clubs.
FAQ
What was the biggest World Cup transfer?
Did any free transfers happen during the World Cup?
Why did Leandro Trossard leave Arsenal?
These World Cup transfers show how tournaments accelerate player movement. Stay tuned for more updates as the summer window continues.