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In Europe they call it silly season and for good reason. Transfers between teams is big business across global soccer, but nowhere does it captivate more than at the top of the pyramid.
In fact media careers are being made off the back off transfers. The likes of Fabrizio Romano and a cohort of what they call “top tier” journalists are making a name for themselves. They consistently break the news of completed deals ahead of official club announcements.
Romano commands a Twitter audience of over 8 million followers who wait with baited breath for his every post – and he’s rarely wrong.
A number of high profile transfers across Europe’s biggest clubs were already announced over the last weeks. Now with the European soccer season officially ended, the rumor mill is getting into full flow.
Manchester United’s fallen star
It would be remiss of us to not start with one of the biggest names in world soccer. Super club Manchester United are world renowned but have been having a hard time of it lately.
Five seasons without silverware and a newly arrived manager is leading to a massive clearout in Manchester. It looks like up to eight or nine players could leave the Red Devils this summer.
One of the biggest names who has had tacit approval from the new manager Erik Ten Hag is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese was top scorer and a lone shining light for United last season.
Although some do have their doubts about his suitability to play a modern style of soccer, it does look like Ronaldo is staying in Manchester for the time being.
Instead all eyes are set on the once-record breaking purchase Paul Pogba, who has refused to sign a new contract at Manchester United. A host of sportsbooks in Europe and the US have recently published odds that could give a clue as to where Pogba will be playing his soccer next season.
You can find an up to date list of states with legal sports betting at BetBlazers.com. Explore the sports betting options where you live if you are interested in diving into the soccer transfer mania.
An exit for Pogba looks almost certain with the lowest odds set for a return to his former club, Juventus in Italy. Other potential suitors include PSG in Pogba’s home country France, and European giants and recent Champions League winners Real Madrid.
Sportsbooks are also offering odds on the World Cup winner, Pogba, to not agree to a contract with any club for next season, although this seems quite unlikely. It looks more a question of where, rather than if.
Italian stallions
Moving in the opposite direction from big time Italian side Juventus is Argentinian wizard Paolo Dybala. Once a teammate of Pogba, Dybala has played only a small role in Juventus’ planned resurgence following a trophyless season.
Sportsbooks are currently favoring a move across the Italian peninsula, south to Jose Mourinho’s Roma. A deal of this magnitude would be a real coup for recent winners of the UEFA Conference League tournament.
EPL Movers and Shakers
A number of big name players are rumored to be making moves this summer. Tottenham captain Harry Kane, Liverpool attacking duo Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, and Chelsea’s $120 million striker Romelu Lukaku all have odds available in anticipation of big name moves this summer.
The dubiousness of placing wagers in an industry that is rife with insider trader secrets such as soccer transfers, has led to calls to curb these odds markets in recent years. It remains big business globally, no less with the amount of interest in the topic of transfers that soccer garners in the absence of actionable games during close season.
The Premier League season begins early this year with a scheduled start in early August. This will likely have a huge impact on the amount of business and the speed of which deals will be completed.
Premier League clubs are able to register new signings from June 10. A number of top European sides will be making their way Stateside this summer for matches with MLS sides!
