Three players who could be on the move after impressing at the World Cup
The wonderful thing about the World Cup is that it’s almost like one big scouting mission for the powerhouse clubs around the globe — specifically those with the massive transfer chests and the gravitational pull of playing in one of Europe’s top divisions and the continent’s premier club competitions.
More often than not there are moves off the back of World Cups, with Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano getting their infamous transfers to West Ham United in 2006, Sami Khedira and James Rodrigues joining Real Madrid in 2010 and 2014 respectively and Harry Maguire earning a move from Leicester City to Manchester United 12 months after helping England make the semi-finals in 2018.
With the winter transfer window opening just a fortnight after the conclusion of the Qatar World Cup, it’s almost guaranteed there will be some big moves for this year’s tournament’s stars in January as their stock has risen in the Middle East.
That said, read on as we take a look at three players who will now be on the radar of the top clubs in the world.
Goncalo Ramos
At just 21 years of age, Goncalo Ramos is the youngest player to score a World Cup hattrick in 60 years. While that’s an impressive feat in itself, the fact that he had the weight on his shoulders of replacing a certain Cristiano Ronaldo for a crucial round of 16 tie in what was his first ever start for his country is all the more impressive. That might not be the first time he fills the massive boots of Ronaldo, however, as there’s an empty space in the Old Trafford dressing room that potentially has his name on it.
The forward has 14 goals and six assists in 21 Benfica appearances this season, the kind of form that would make the Red Devils more favourable with those looking for bets for football.
Harry Souttar
An unlikely player that has garnered attention at this World Cup, Australia made an unexpected run to the round of 16 — beating Tunisia and Denmark to finish second in their group behind defending world champions France — and centre-back Harry Souttar was a massive part of their underdog story.
Currently plying his trade for Stoke City in the English Championship, the Aberdeen-born defender has been tipped for a big future by pundits and fans alike after his stunning performances for the Socceroos. .There are reports that he could jump up to the top flight in January — with Everton and Tottenham Hotspur potentially interested parties.
Cho Gue-sung
A name you almost certainly never heard of before the Qatar World Cup, Cho Gue-sung has become a social media sensation thanks to being thrown into the limelight in the Middle East — with his Instagram following jumping from around 20,000 to a massive 2.6 million.
The South Korean striker, who plies his trade for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in his homeland, scored two goals in four games as the Taegeuk Warriors made it to the round of 16. The 24-year-old is believed to be the target of Glasgow giants Celtic, commanding a relatively low price tag.
