Transfer market is about to explode

A series of famous stars will have their contracts expire in 2026, opening up an underground race between big clubs. Keep them, sell them now or lose them for nothing? The difficult question is posing to the whole of Europe.

Thibaut Courtois' future is a question mark.

Every summer, when the clock strikes July 1, the European transfer market enters a period of calculation - where the concept of "free players" carries as much weight as blockbuster transfers. The upcoming year 2026 promises to be a "silent revolution" when a series of famous stars will expire, forcing clubs to make quick decisions: keep, sell or lose?

On this list, the most notable name is probably Ibrahima Konate. The French midfielder, despite being given a contract extension by Liverpool, has remained mysteriously silent.

That ambiguity has only added to the excitement of the market, especially as Real Madrid emerge as the frontrunner. With his modern defensive capabilities, speed and sharp tactical thinking, Konate is a piece that any big team would crave, especially in an era where quality central defenders are becoming a rarity.

Not only Konate, his compatriot Dayot Upamecano is also "anchoring" his future at Bayern Munich. This player proactively requested to postpone contract negotiations until the end of the summer transfer window - a move that clearly shows that he wants to consider other options before signing.

In Madrid, the two giants Real and Atletico are not immune to similar concerns. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-back Antonio Rudiger can freely negotiate with new teams from January 2026.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is not sure whether he will stay or leave at PSG.

While negotiations for a new contract are currently going smoothly, things can change quickly in football. Meanwhile, Rodrigo de Paul continues to worry Atlético's board if he cannot be sold in this transfer window - a double risk of losing both money and player.

On the goal front, Gianluigi Donnarumma became a special case when PSG and his agent delayed negotiations. At that time, Man City suddenly appeared as a possible option, especially in the context that Ederson's contract only lasts until 2026.

In addition, Bernardo Silva, the City captain, has remained silent about his future - a silence that is sometimes more ominous than a denial.

Unlike stars whose futures are still unclear, some names are ready to leave and can bring their home clubs a large fee. According to Hernandez, with stable performance at Milan, he is being closely pursued by Al Hilal - promising to be the next big deal in Saudi Arabian football.

Meanwhile, Marc Guehi is getting very close to Liverpool, and Crystal Palace could earn around 45 million euros - a small amount for the final year of his contract.

In the Premier League, the market is equally hot. Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo has caught Ruben Amorim's eye with an estimated €75m price tag.

Bryan Mbeumo is close to joining MU.

Jadon Sancho, who has fallen out of favor at Man United, is now a target for Juventus - a team famous for reviving "discarded" players from big clubs. Cristhian Mosquera has firmly rejected all offers of a contract extension from Valencia, and is aiming for a more prestigious destination: Arsenal.

But not everyone has been able to make waves in the market. Dusan Vlahovic and John Stones, two names that were once pillars, are now in a “waiting to be liquidated” state. They barely contributed anything at the end of last season, and although they want to stay until the end of their contracts, both Juventus and Man City are trying to sell them this summer to free up wage bills and create opportunities for reinvestment.

All of these developments show that today's transfer market is not only a playground for blockbuster contracts, but also a battlefield where clubs have to calculate each step with the precision of a chess game. A delayed decision can cause them to lose a valuable asset.

For players, the coming of freedom also means greater power than ever before - as they get to choose who will be the “highest bidder” for their talent.

The summer of 2025 has only just begun, but the shadow of 2026 is already looming over the secretive boardrooms where contracts, numbers and bargains are quietly shaping the future of European football.

Source: https://znews.vn/thi-truong-chuyen-nhuong-chuc-cho-bung-no-post1565921.html