da dobrowin: The tournament has provided a stage for a host of players to showcase their talents, and many could be on the move after catching the eye
da fezbet: It is always a risk to sign a player off the back of an impressive international tournament, but that is a gamble a number of clubs will be weighing up as Euro 2024 heads into its final week. A host of names – some lesser-known and some well-established – have been catching the eye in Germany and could be in line for a big move with the transfer window now open.
For some, a switch was an inevitability as they came into the tournament in red-hot form, while others have made a name for themselves at what could be a career-defining European Championship, by seizing the spotlight and shining with the eyes of the footballing world upon them.
But who are those we should look out for in the gossip columns in the coming weeks and months? GOAL looks at the 14 players who have put themselves in the shop window…
GettyJaka Bijol (Slovenia)
Udinese's Jaka Bijol was a defensive rock in Slovenia's unlikely run to the knockout stages in Germany and has placed himself firmly in the shop window with a string of dominant displays at centre-back.
Despite their last-16 penalty shootout exit to Portugal, Slovenia didn't lose a game in normal time at the tournament despite facing England too, as Bijol kept both Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo quiet, winning countless aerial duels and putting his body on the line. He was linked with Roma before the tournament, but will have more suitors now, with Inter and Aston Villa among those now seemingly interested.
AdvertisementGettyRiccardo Calafiori (Italy)
Despite Italy's premature exit, Riccardo Calafiori did enough to make a name for himself at Euro 2024, capturing the imagination with his good looks, throwback long hair and hairband. He was notably absent for the round-of-16 defeat to Switzerland, and the Azzurri will feel it is a case of what might have been had he not been suspended.
A smooth-passing left-footed centre-back, the 22-year-old barely put a foot wrong and has already been linked with several top clubs, including Arsenal – who have forced themselves to the front of the queue – Liverpool and Chelsea. He helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League last term, but their chances of keeping him around are slim at best.
Getty ImagesMarc Guehi (England)
Another defensive star of Euro 2024 so far, Marc Guehi has surprisingly emerged as one of England's best players in Germany. The Three Lions' defensive work has barely come under any scrutiny as they struggle to create chances and score goals at the other end, and that is thanks in no small part to the centre-back.
He has shown a real knack for reading the game intelligently and being in the right place at the right time for his side, though England had to do without him for the quarter-final with Switzerland after he picked up a suspension. This summer is set to get even bigger for him, with the £55 million-rated ($70m) man expected to leave Crystal Palace amid interest from a host of leading Premier League clubs.
GettyFerdi Kadioglu (Turkey)
Turkey finally lived up to the label of 'dark horses' as they summoned the spirit of 2008 in Germany, reaching the quarter-finalsbefore falling to the Netherlands. It was truly a team effort, but one of their outstanding defensive performers was Ferdi Kadioglu.
The Fenerbahce full-back has caught the eye with his ability up and down the left flank, bombing forward and also contributing defensively. He's versatile, too – capable of playing on the right or at centre-back. He's already being linked with a £29m ($37m) switch to the Premier League, with West Ham, Wolves, Manchester United and Arsenal all linked, with the Gunners having supposedly tabled a bid.