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With the transfer market set to officially open after the World Cup, there are plenty of players worldwide whose price-tag will increase and earn a big-money move to a new club after this summer’s competition.
The chance to shine on the biggest stage of them all gives players the opportunity to play themselves into a deal at a new side and cement themselves in the transfer thoughts of club managers the world over.
Gilberto Silva, Ossie Ardiles and Philippe Albert all earned moves to England on the back of impressive World Cup campaigns, with varying degrees of success.
There have been some classics through the years of players who played well in the World Cup, earned a huge transfer and then gone missing. For every Gilberto Silva there is a Kleberson, while Salif Diao, Stephane Guivarc’h and Denilson all turned out to be big money flops.
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Here are our five top tips for players whose value could rocket over the next month, kicking off with £15 million reported Liverpool target Xherdan Shaqiri. The Bayern Munich man is said to be interesting Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and can stake his claim for a move with an impressive World Cup performance. Let’s hope that these five players are more Gilberto than Salif Diao.
Xherdan Shaqiri
The Bayern Munich man could be set to leave the German club over the summer with Liverpool firmly interested in Shaqiri. He would probably cost around £15 million right now, but as the attacking focal point in a talented, young Switzerland side, Shaqiri could shine and increase his price-tag by another £10m.
The attacking midfielder is unfortunate enough to be behind Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze and Arjen Robben in the pecking order at Bayern Munich so desperately needs a fresh start elsewhere to really announce himself in European football.
A good World Cup is necessary for Shaqiri.
Antoine Griezmann
One of the most sought-after young talents in the world right now is Griezmann who plays for Real Sociedad in La Liga. After 16 league goals in Spain last season, the Frenchman could be on the verge of a big move to one of Europe’s big clubs.
He has been linked to Arsenal, Manchester United and even Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman is a superb player with a lot of potential. His price-tag could really sky rocket this summer after Franck Ribery pulled out of the World Cup with injury, opening up a place in the France starting eleven. Griezmann can step up and take his place in the side to great effect.
It could be the biggest month of Griezmann’s career.
Wilfried Bony
Bony was absolutely superb last season for Swansea City. He scored 16 goals in his debut Premier League season and 25 in all competitions, keeping the Swans away from the relegation zone with his powerful play up front and his important goals.
Bony scored some big goals for Swansea last season and could be on his way out if a bigger club comes calling this summer. The Ivorian is playing in a team featuring Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure so he shouldn’t be short on goal-scoring opportunities.
His current price-tag is probably around £15m-£20m but a good performance at the summer’s showpiece event and that could increase dramatically. With a few goals in the group stages, Bony could command a fee of around £25 million which would be enormous for Swansea.
Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian forward will be the main striker for his country this summer. With Christian Benteke out injured, Lukaku will play through the middle on his own and is flying into the World Cup in great form.
He was sent out on loan to Everton last season, where he scored 15 goals in the Premier League, after being sent on loan to West Brom in his first season at Chelsea.
He seems to be unwanted at Stamford Bridge and with Diego Costa soon arriving at Chelsea, Lukaku really has to find a new club or else he’ll be loaned out again, or will have to sit on the bench at the Bridge.
He would probably cost around £20 million right now but with a good World Cup – with three or four goals – it could rise by around 50%.
Memphis Depay
Finally, Memphis Depay is the wildcard in the Netherlands squad. The forward has been tipped to have a great future in the game after scoring 17 goals in 60 appearances for PSV Eindhoven despite only being 20-years-old.
Depay is a pacey winger who loves attacking and has already been linked to some of Europe’s best. Maybe they need some persuading after seeing a lot of potential and the World Cup could be his time to show the world what he’s capable of.
He has been linked to Manchester United whose new boss is his current international manager, Louis van Gaal, so a good World Cup could persuade the Dutchman to take him to Old Trafford.
