For every football fan, the transfer rumour mill is all which enables them to function outside the normal season and this summer has thrown up whispers as intriguing as ever. Most remarkably of all though, such stories have unfolded even though the transfer window hasn’t officially opened yet.
Despite this, we have already seen the likes of Manchester Clubs and Liverpool commence business, in an attempt to strengthen their respective teams ahead of what is sure to be the most competitive Premier League season yet.
As with every transfer season, it is the young and promising who are dominating the headlines and a certain handful of individuals are supposedly on their way to Paris, London, Madrid and Turin all at once. Here’s a look at five very highly-rated youngsters in particular who are on the radars of some big sides and are consequently destined to put pen to paper with a new club this summer.
#5 Max Meyer
Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on Schalke wonder boy Max Meyer to bolster their ever-impressive midfield armoury. It is reported by The Guardian, that Meyer could depart the German club for as little as £17.5 million, after he rejected the chance to renew his existing contract which will expire at the end of next season. Consequently, Schalke will be looking to offload the 21-year-old now to avoid letting him go on a free this time next year.
It's fair to say that the 2016/17 season wasn't among Meyer's best, given that the German winger scored just one goal and managed just one assist in 27 league matches. In seasons gone by however, Meyer has appeared capable and reliable for the Bundesliga side and has attracted interest from the likes of Liverpool too now that Schalke are willing to sell.
That said, North London seems the most probable destination and this more recent rumour has emerged as one of the most likely to come to fruition.
#4 Kelechi Iheanacho
It's not been characteristic of Manchester City to produce superb young talent but, after having developed exceptionally quickly in the Citizens's youth academy, Iheanacho has made a name for himself in the Premier League. The Nigerian-born striker scored four times in 20 league appearances this past season and is now on the radar of former champions Leicester City and West Ham United to name but a couple.
City themselves are in the midst of a transfer whirlwind, having already lured in the likes of goalkeeper Ederson and Monaco's Bernardo Silva. Their business doesn't appear to be concluding anytime soon either, hence the need to offload fringe players like Iheanacho to fund new deals.
The 20-year-old is strong and quick and has all the makings of a top forward. He's young and already has top-level experience and is therefore a target for a hoard of sides, so watch this space.
#3 Kylian Mbappé
It was a fantasy football transfer which has rapidly become a probable reality; Kylian Mbappé could be departing Monaco for any of Arsenal, Liverpool or Real Madrid to name but a few for what would most likely be a world-record transfer fee. Last term, the teenager bagged 15 goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 for the French Champions and also impressed in displays against Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League knockout-phase.
Whether he ends up at PSG, Manchester United or one of the aforementioned three outfits, Mbappé will not come cheap, with figures up to, and in excess of, €130 million featuring prominently across numerous headlines.
Also read: Reports: Zinedine Zidane convinces Kylian Mbappe to join Real Madrid
Such stories surface just a year and five months since the Frenchman scored his first Monaco goal, but the fact he is still relatively unproven has done little to put off big clubs who are battling it out to secure the services of the sharpest young striker on the continent at present.
Of Mbappé’s potential suitors, it is believed that the Santiago Bernabeu would be his preferred choice ahead of the likes of Arsenal who are not offering Champions League football. Nonetheless, it looks like this is not a rumour which will merely fizzle out over the coming months.
#2 Thomas Lemar
To have reached the fourth player on this list and it be only the second one to ply their trade at Monaco is quite surprising, given that the French champions are poising themselves for a mass exodus of exceptional young talent. Whilst Bernardo Silva has already signed for Manchester City, fellow Monaco midfielder Lemar could too soon join him, with Liverpool and the two North London clubs the favourites to land his signature.
No player created more chances for Monaco in Ligue 1 last term than Lemar (70), whilst the 21-year-old too contributed nine league goals and 10 league assists from midfield. As is commonplace with an enterprising Monaco midfielder, Lemar is adept with the ball at his feet and is able to weave his way through tight defences and split back-lines with his excellent range of passing. He is ultimately too good a player not to warrant attention; the recent hype is well justified.
Of all the players who could depart, Monaco will be most keen to keep a hold of their primary attacking outlet in midfield but, with the former Caen player having achieved nearly all he can with the club, a move elsewhere, most likely the Premier League, is looking increasingly likely.
#1 Ousmane Dembélé
As if Borussia Dortmund don't have it bad enough with a transfer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moving seemingly closer, it now seems that Ousmane Dembélé is too heading for the exit door of the Signal Iduna Park, with Barcelona favourites to snap up the Frenchman.
In his debut Bundesliga season, the former-Rennes forward scored six league goals, as well mustering 12 assists and creating the most chances of any other player at the club (63). Dembélé also registered two goals in Dortmund's Champions League campaign this season and has consequently attracted the interest of clubs ranging from PSG to Manchester United.
Also read: 5 things you should know about Barcelona target Ousmane Dembele
That said, Barcelona remains the most likely destination and the Catalan club are thought to be lining up a bid of €50 million plus a further €20 million in add-ons.
With the departure of Thomas Tuchel thought to be fuelling Dembélé's desire to depart, he really could move anywhere just as an attempt to flee the German giants, with Chelsea and Manchester United also thought to be willing to fork out a big sum for his services.
