'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Jules Kounde (Sevilla)
Jules Kounde started his career with French club Bordeaux in Ligue 1. Sensing his potential, Sevilla were quick to act and signed him in 2019.
The Frenchman is not the tallest of centre-backs but is quite an effective one. He's one of those rare centre-backs who has quick pace and strength at the same time. The other good thing about the former Bordeaux defender is his ability to play as a right-back. With all these qualities, Kounde is one of the most desirable defenders in football right now.
European champions Chelsea were very keen on getting the French defender on board this summer. The Blues were waiting to get Kurt Zouma's transfer to West Ham over the line but the delay in the deal meant Kounde's move was delayed too.
Sevilla reportedly initially agreed a fee of £42 million with Chelsea for the defender's transfer, but the Spanish club did a U-turn once Zouma was sold. The six-time Europa League champions then demanded a fee of £68 million which wasn't going to be feasible for the London club.
In the end, Kounde was forced to stay against his wishes. That being said, it won't be long before the centre-back pushes to finalize his transfer away from Sevilla.
#2 Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
If there's one man who's always expected to be in the news, it's Paul Pogba. The personality of the Frenchman is immense and so is his talent. The midfielder has started the Premier League season in scintillating fashion after already registering seven assists to his name.
Pogba has been subject to a transfer for more than a year now. His agent Mino Raiola has openly claimed his client's desire to play for Real Madrid someday or may be a return to Turin. He was even vocal about his client's unhappy state at a certain time in his Manchester United career.
It all looks faded right now and nothing is certain. The signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, his compatriot Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho must encourage Pogba to stay. That being said, the French midfielder is yet to renew his contract which runs out at the end of this season.
Despite the squad's quality, United haven't been able to turnaround their form drastically. Failing to win the Europa League last season after reaching the finals was heartbreaking. Pogba is already 28 years old and given the fact that he has only won two trophies in more than five seasons with the Red Devils, it is disappointing.
With top European clubs still showing interest in the dashing midfielder, a move is likely to be on the cards next year. With his contract running out, a move could be sealed in the January transfer window itself should Manchester United fail to convince him.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
We are talking about the world's most expensive teenager here. Kylian Mbappe was signed by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from AS Monaco in 2018. Before that, the French attacker was superb for Monaco, scoring 15 goals in 29 Ligue 1 matches.
Ever since Mbappe joined Paris Saint-Germain, he has been nothing but a world-class attacker. In the 114 appearances that he has made for the Paris club in Ligue 1, he has managed to score 95 times and assist in 32 other goals.
It is incredible for a player of his age to achieve so much. Before he was signed by PSG, he was also approached by Real Madrid. The then Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane wanted to sign him but could not guarantee him regular game-time. With only that constraint, PSG won the battle to get his signature.
Mbappe has always been a Real Madrid fan and he was keen to join them this summer. Los Blancos had even tabled a bid for the 2018 World Cup winner but it was rejected by PSG. The French giants have now taken the risk of letting Mbappe go on a free next summer as his contract expires.
Mbappe is unlikely to renew his contract meaning the ball is entirely in Madrid's court. The 22-year-old is very much bound to fulfill his dream of playing for the 13-time UEFA Champions League winners in 2022.
