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#3 Jadon Sancho | Borussia Dortmund | Age: 20
Jadon Sancho is a name that perhaps brings back haunting memories of the 2020 summer window for the Manchester United faithful. The Red Devils were reportedly in advanced talks to sign the English star for months as per reliable football insider Fabrizio Romano and other sources but, ultimately, were priced out of a move for him due to the financial implications of COVID-19. Borussia Dortmund were adamant on the €120m price tag they slapped on him.
After spending another campaign in Germany, Sancho — who is believed to be keen on a return to his homeland — could be set for a move to England this summer. While he began the season in a very poor vein of form, the former Manchester City star began 2021 with a blast and currently has eight goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga and UCL combined.
While several reports have claimed that Manchester United will revert to Borussia Dortmund with a very low offer, there is a real possibility of them needing to put together a big sum to sign Sancho. The 20-year-old's form since the turn of the year, Dortmund's involvement in the last eight of the UCL and Sancho potentially starring for England at the Euro could ensure that the Germans make a healthy nine-figure profit from his sale.
#2 Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain | Age: 22
After everything he's achieved over the last few years, little needs to be said about Kylian Mbappe. The French superstar is already one of the best players in the world at the age of 22 and has proven that to be the case time and again for Paris Saint-Germain and France. Mbappe was instrumental this year as well for the Parisiens, helping them qualify for the knockout stage from a tricky group.
The former AS Monaco man then went on to send a timely reminder of his sublime ability to his detractors by becoming the first-ever player to score a hat-trick against Barcelona in the UCL knockout stages, and did so in stunning fashion at the Nou Camp. Mbappe tore a hapless Blaugrana side apart and helped his side progress to the last eight of the competition. The 22-year-old is already at 24 goals and nine assists in the Ligue 1 and UCL.
The World Cup winner is set to enter the final year of his contract at PSG this summer, leading to much speculation regarding a potential move to Real Madrid. Reports from France have claimed Los Blancos will have to pay upwards of €160m should they want to sign him this summer. Should the Spanish champions end their campaign trophyless, they could go all out to sign the man they've targeted for over half a decade now.
#1 Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund | Age: 20
Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland is undoubtedly going to be the most coveted player of the summer transfer window. The Norwegian took European football by storm after a breakthrough campaign that saw him score over 40 competitive goals across all competitions and has quickly gone on to establish himself as one of the most unique talents the sport has seen in years.
Combining an incredible physique, speed, and a sense of positioning that belie his age, Haaland has undoubtedly been one of the best centre-forwards in world football since he made his debut. After a fantastic debut season, Haaland has upped the ante this year with 19 Bundesliga goals in as many starts, and more impressively, a whopping ten UCL goals in just six appearances.
With Haaland practically shattering defences and goalscoring records at will, he has made himself the next big thing in football and could be set for a blockbuster move away from Borussia Dortmund. Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Juventus have all registered their interest in signing Haaland come summer, and being represented by notorious super-agent Mino Raiola, it remains to be seen where he ends up.
Although he reportedly has a €75m release clause that becomes active in 2022, Dortmund could spur on a bidding war for their striker this summer for a fee much greater than that amount to sign Haaland.
Also read: 10 Most expensive footballers from famous footballing nations
