Football Transfers 22/7: Top 10 Targets Including Bouaddi, Alvarez & Barcola
The 2026 World Cup has officially concluded, but the transfer window is just getting started. Here is the latest Premier League transfer news you need to know.
After 104 thrilling matches spanning across North America, Spain emerged as World Cup champions, edging past 2022 winners Argentina with a narrow 1-0 victory at the New York New Jersey Stadium. While the international stage has taken its final bow, the club football scene is rapidly shifting into high gear.
Pre-season friendlies are already underway, and managers across the globe are meticulously evaluating their squads. With the summer transfer window of 2026 now in full swing, Premier League clubs are wasting no time in identifying key areas for improvement.
From teenage World Cup sensations to seasoned strikers seeking redemption, the rumor mill is churning. Here, W88 break down the top 10 potential incomings who could be donning Premier League jerseys before the window slams shut.
The Rising Stars & Midfield Maestros
1. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco) – Manchester City’s Prime Target
If there is one name that has dominated the transfer gossip columns post-World Cup, it is Ayyoub Bouaddi. The Moroccan teenager was one of the tournament’s breakout stars, and his performances have firmly placed him on the radars of England’s biggest clubs.
Manchester City are currently leading the chase. Having already secured the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, Pep Guardiola is looking to complete a midfield revamp. According to sources close to the Etihad, Bouaddi is the next name on the wishlist. Expect this deal to gather pace as City look to secure the youngster’s signature for the long term.
2. Manu Kone (France) – At the Center of a Transfer Scramble
Another midfield sensation ready to cross the channel is Roma’s Manu Kone. The French international impressed heavily for Les Bleus during the World Cup, and his dynamic box-to-box style has not gone unnoticed.
With Manchester United’s move for Ederson falling through, Old Trafford remains a potential destination. However, they face stiff competition. Arsenal are eyeing Kone as a cheaper alternative to Bruno Guimaraes, while Liverpool have also registered their interest. Kone is likely to be at the epicenter of a bidding war this summer.
The Attacking Firepower
3. Julian Alvarez (Argentina) – The Return to the Premier League?
Julian Alvarez is no stranger to the Premier League. The Argentine striker departed Manchester City for Atletico Madrid two years ago, but persistent rumors suggest he is desperate for a return to England. Having a point to prove to his former employers, Alvarez looks ready for a comeback.
The most likely suitor? Arsenal. Despite winning the league title with Viktor Gyokeres leading the attack, the Gunners are keen to add more depth and firepower. Although Alvarez faltered slightly in La Liga last season, his Champions League stats speak volumes. With 10 goals and 14 goal involvements in the 2025-26 campaign, he remains a lethal threat in the final third.
4. Bradley Barcola (France) – PSG Exit on the Cards
The arrival of new attackers at Paris Saint-Germain is expected to force Bradley Barcola out of the Parc des Princes. Despite featuring frequently for the Ligue 1 champions last season, his game time is set to be limited further.
A move to England seems imminent. Premier League giants Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United have all been linked with the fleet-footed winger. Now that the World Cup has drawn to a close, talks regarding a transfer to the EPL are expected to accelerate.
5. Rafael Leao (Portugal) – Spurs and Villa in the Hunt
Milan’s Rafael Leao is widely tipped to leave Serie A this off-season. Despite struggling for starts with Portugal during the World Cup, the 27-year-old made a significant impact whenever called upon, registering a goal and an assist in just 155 minutes of action.
Tottenham Hotspur have been long-term admirers of Leao as they look to bolster their frontline. However, they will face competition from a resurgent Aston Villa side, who are also in the market for a dynamic wide player.
6. Folarin Balogun (USA) – The American Dream Returns to England?
Folarin Balogun was at the center of World Cup controversy after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina was overturned. Despite the co-hosts crashing out to Belgium in the last 16, Balogun was a bright spark, netting three goals in four appearances.
With 13 goals in Ligue 1 last season, the striker is proving his consistency. A move back to England, where he was once an Arsenal academy product, could be on the cards this summer for a player looking for a fresh start.
7. Antonio Nusa (Norway) – The Bundesliga Speedster
While RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande grabs the headlines, Antonio Nusa quietly had an exceptional Bundesliga season. In fact, only Diomande completed more take-ons than Nusa (68) in the German top flight.
Arsenal and Liverpool are both reported to be tracking the Norwegian wonderkid. However, RB Leipzig are reluctant to lose both their star wingers in one window. The financial lure of the Premier League, however, may prove too tempting for both the club and the player.
The Defensive Reinforcements
8. Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast) – Forest Leading the Race
Ousmane Diomande may have only started once for Ivory Coast at the World Cup, but his reputation as one of Portugal’s most promising center-backs is firmly intact.
A ball-playing defender with elite stats, Diomande recorded the second-best pass accuracy (93.1%) in Liga Portugal. Nottingham Forest are currently said to be leading the race for his signature. Securing Diomande would be a massive statement of intent from the Tricky Trees.
9. Pervis Estupinan (Ecuador) – Villa’s Left-Back Solution
Aston Villa are in the midst of a massive summer rebuild. While they are prioritizing midfielders, the left-back position is also high on Unai Emery’s agenda. Lucas Digne has been tipped to return to France, and Villa are looking for a ready-made replacement.
Pervis Estupinan fits the bill perfectly. The Ecuadorian left-back only left Brighton for AC Milan last summer but is now set to depart the San Siro after just 12 months, with Villa Park emerging as an expected destination.
10. Zion Suzuki (Japan) – The Goalkeeping Sensation
Japan suffered a heartbreaking early exit to Brazil in the Round of 32, but Zion Suzuki was arguably one of the tournament’s best shot-stoppers. The 23-year-old proved he is ready for a major move.
Parma are desperate to hold onto their star man, but interest from the Premier League is growing. Both Leeds United and Newcastle United are desperate to sign a new goalkeeper this summer and could do much worse than push for the Japanese star.
Conclusion: A Blockbuster Summer Ahead
The final whistle has blown at the World Cup, but the transfer market is buzzing with activity. Whether it is the teenage talent of Ayyoub Bouaddi or the proven experience of Julian Alvarez, the 2026 summer transfer window promises to be one for the history books.
Keep checking back for the latest Premier League transfer news as we track these deals from the rumor mill to the official announcement.
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