Clubs across Europe are completing major transfers mid-tournament for players still competing at the 2026 World Cup, forcing agents, medics and national team managers into a delicate balancing act between business and football.
Arsenal Move for Álvarez as Kane Stays Put
Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez, hoping to get a deal wrapped before pre-season training ends, according to reporting cited by ESPN.
Mikel Arteta wants the Argentina international as his top attacking target, helped along by PSG cooling their interest and Atlético refusing to sell to Barcelona or Real Madrid. Álvarez is said to be open to a Premier League return, though Atlético’s €150 million valuation could complicate things.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich remain confident Harry Kane will sign a new long-term deal despite interest from Tottenham, Barcelona and Real Madrid, ESPN reports. The 32-year-old enters the final year of his contract, but talks with Bayern are said to be progressing well.
A World Cup Like No Other for Transfer Business
Big-money moves during international tournaments used to be rare. Cesc Fàbregas’ switch from Barcelona to Chelsea during the 2010 World Cup and Michy Batshuayi’s move to Chelsea during Euro 2016 were previously cited as jarring exceptions to the rule, ESPN notes.
Not anymore. This World Cup has produced a wave of deals for players still on international duty. Real Madrid have signed defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Marc Cucurella, plus midfielder Bernardo Silva, while all three were away with France, Spain and Portugal respectively.
Bayern Munich landed Ismael Saibari from PSV for €55 million while Morocco were still in the competition.
Two deals stand out. Gonçalo Ramos joined AC Milan from PSG for €74 million while on duty with Portugal, and Manchester City agreed to pay Nottingham Forest £116 million for Elliot Anderson, even as he played a key role for England.
Even deep into the knockout stages, the business hasn’t slowed: Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi reportedly agreed a €60 million move to Newcastle ahead of his side’s quarter-final against Argentina.
How Clubs Get It Done From Afar
Getting a medical done while a player is thousands of miles away with their national team is the trickiest part, agents told ESPN. Clubs typically fly staff to the player’s location to complete checks.
Agent Alex Levack said big clubs will always want senior staff present for major signings, while CAA Base’s Leon Angel said the process itself, heart checks, scans, and a review of medical history, is often simpler than assumed.
Anderson’s medical was completed at England’s Kansas City base, while AC Milan flew staff to Miami to check on Ramos while Portugal were based there, ESPN reported.
Managers Split on Letting Transfers Proceed
National team bosses handle the situation differently. Thomas Tuchel and the England setup were fully accommodating of Anderson’s move, with Angel telling ESPN that once the clubs agreed terms, Tuchel’s approach was simply to get the medical and signing done.
Portugal took a similarly relaxed stance with Ramos.Others prefer to shut the door on transfer talk entirely during a tournament.
England Women’s manager Sarina Wiegman has told her squad she wants transfer business finished before they report for international duty, according to Angel’s comments to ESPN.
Agents also flagged the psychological risk of unresolved transfers weighing on players mid-competition, with Pro Eleven’s Vítor Gonçalves advising that communication about a pending move should be kept to a minimum once a player joins camp.
Not every mid-tournament deal runs smoothly. ESPN recounted the case of South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana, whose move from Atlético Madrid to Racing Louisville during the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations was thrown into turmoil after she tore her Achilles tendon before her medical could be completed, forcing both clubs back to the negotiating table to restructure the deal.
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