The summer 2026 transfer window is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent memory. The World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada kicks off in June, which means clubs are scrambling to complete deals before the tournament begins or risk losing targets to breakout performances that inflate prices. The convergence of the World Cup, the expanded Club World Cup, and several clubs with new ownership money to spend creates the conditions for a record-breaking summer.
Here are the 10 moves that could reshape the football landscape, ranked by likelihood and impact.
Track every confirmed deal and rumor throughout the window at iScore.ai, where live scores meet intelligent football analysis.
1. Alisson Becker to Juventus: The Goalkeeper Shake-Up
Of all the transfer rumors circulating in early May, this one carries the most weight. Juventus have identified Alisson as their primary target for the summer, and the timing makes sense for everyone involved.
Alisson is 33 years old and entering the final year of his Liverpool contract. The Brazilian has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world since arriving at Anfield in 2018, but Liverpool face a decision: extend his contract into his mid-30s, or cash in now while he still has significant market value. The rise of Caoimhín Kelleher, who has impressed in every opportunity he has been given, makes the decision easier for Liverpool's recruitment team.
Juventus need a top-tier goalkeeper. Wojciech Szczęsny retired at the end of last season, and Michele Di Gregorio has not convinced as a long-term number one. Alisson's distribution, shot-stopping, and experience at the highest level fit exactly what Thiago Motta wants from his goalkeeper in build-up play.
The fee is expected to be in the region of €25-35 million, a reasonable price for a goalkeeper of Alisson's caliber given his contract situation. The rumor accuracy rating sits at 22% on aggregation sites, but the logic behind the move is sound for both clubs. This one has legs.
Predicted fee: €30 million
Likelihood: 7/10
2. Morgan Rogers to Manchester United: Bruno's Successor?
Morgan Rogers has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has contributed 8 goals and 11 assists for Aston Villa, establishing himself as one of the most creative young players in English football. It was only a matter of time before bigger clubs came calling.
Manchester United are the most serious suitors. Their interest in Rogers is specifically tied to the long-term future of Bruno Fernandes, who turns 32 this year and has shown signs of decline in the second half of the season. United's recruitment team views Rogers as the perfect replacement: a ball-carrying number 10 who can operate in tight spaces, create chances, and press from the front.
The complication is price. Rogers signed a new contract with Aston Villa in January that runs until 2030, and Villa have no financial pressure to sell. Any deal would likely need to exceed €70 million, and Villa would probably demand closer to €85 million for a player they consider central to their project.
The rumor accuracy rating of 27.9% suggests this is more than idle speculation. United have been tracking Rogers since his Middlesbrough days, and the move aligns with their strategy of signing Premier League-proven talent. Expect this one to drag on through the summer.
Predicted fee: €75 million
Likelihood: 6/10
3. Joško Gvardiol: Real Madrid and Bayern Circle
Joško Gvardiol's future at Manchester City is under serious scrutiny. The Croatian defender has had an inconsistent season, and with Pep Guardiola's own future still uncertain beyond 2026, several of City's key players are being linked with moves away.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are the two clubs most seriously interested. Madrid view Gvardiol as the long-term successor to David Alaba at left-center-back, while Bayern see him as the perfect addition to a back line that was exposed repeatedly in the Champions League semi-final against PSG. Both clubs have the financial muscle to make a deal happen.
City paid €90 million for Gvardiol in 2023. They would likely demand at least €70 million to let him leave, but the player's desire for a new challenge could force the price down. Gvardiol has started only 60% of City's Premier League matches this season, which suggests his relationship with Guardiola may not be what it once was.
Predicted fee: €70 million
Likelihood: 5/10
4. Mateus Fernandes: Manchester United's Midfield Rebuild
Mateus Fernandes is a 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder currently at West Ham United. His performances this season have attracted attention from several top clubs, but Manchester United are the most aggressive in their pursuit.
The logic is straightforward. West Ham are in serious danger of relegation, and Fernandes has a release clause that becomes active if the club drops to the Championship. That clause is reported to be around €35 million, a bargain for a player of his quality and age. United are monitoring the situation closely and could pounce the moment West Ham's fate is confirmed.
Fernandes profiles as a box-to-box midfielder who can contribute defensively and offensively. He averages 2.3 tackles per game, 1.8 interceptions, and has contributed 4 goals and 6 assists from central midfield this season. The rumor accuracy rating of 32.3% is the highest on this list, which tells you how concrete this interest is.
If United land both Rogers and Fernandes, they will have completed a significant midfield rebuild in a single window. The combination of Premier League experience, age profile, and positional fit makes this one of the smartest moves they could make.
Predicted fee: €35 million (release clause)
Likelihood: 8/10
5. Kylian Mbappe: The Arsenal Link That Won't Go Away
Every transfer window brings renewed speculation about Kylian Mbappe's future, and the summer of 2026 is no different. The twist this time is the Arsenal connection, which has surfaced in multiple reports following Arsenal's Champions League final run.
The logic behind the rumor is tenuous. Mbappe is reportedly open to a Premier League move at some point in his career, and Arsenal's emergence as a Champions League-caliber team makes them a plausible destination. However, Mbappe's wages and the transfer fee required to prise him away from whatever club he is at would make this one of the most expensive transfers in history.
Take this one with a mountain of salt. The rumor exists because Arsenal are now in the conversation for elite players, not because there is concrete evidence of negotiations. But in a summer window, you can never completely rule out a surprise.
Predicted fee: N/A
Likelihood: 2/10
6. Jannik Schuster to Brentford: The Austrian Pipeline
Brentford have built much of their success on identifying undervalued talent in markets other clubs overlook. Their interest in Jannik Schuster, a 19-year-old Austrian defender at Red Bull Salzburg, fits that profile perfectly.
Schuster has been one of the standout young defenders in the Austrian Bundesliga this season. He is left-footed, comfortable on the ball, and has the physical profile that Premier League clubs value in center-backs. Salzburg's track record of developing young talent and selling at a profit makes this a low-risk, high-reward move for Brentford.
The reported fee is around €18 million (£16 million), which would make Schuster one of Brentford's most expensive signings. Talks are described as ongoing, with a rumor accuracy of 6.8%. The low accuracy rating reflects the early stage of negotiations rather than a lack of genuine interest.
Brentford's model relies on buying players before their value explodes. If Schuster has a strong World Cup with Austria, his price could double by the end of the tournament.
Predicted fee: €18 million
Likelihood: 7/10
7. Nikolas Polster: Celtic and Wolves Track Austrian GK
The Austrian goalkeeping market is producing talent at an unusual rate, and Nikolas Polster is the latest name on the radar of British clubs. The 21-year-old Wolfsberger AC goalkeeper has been monitored by both Celtic and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
For Celtic, the appeal is obvious. Joe Hart retired last summer and the club has been rotating goalkeepers without finding a consistent number one. Polster would be a development signing with first-team potential, likely costing less than €5 million.
Wolves' interest is more about squad depth. José Sá has been their first-choice goalkeeper, but the club has a history of signing undervalued talent from smaller leagues and developing them into saleable assets. Polster fits that model.
The rumor accuracy sits at 0%, which means this is very early-stage speculation. But the clubs involved, the player's profile, and the price point all make sense.
Predicted fee: €4 million
Likelihood: 5/10
8. Galatasaray's Title-Winning Squad Draws European Attention
Galatasaray clinched the Turkish Süper Lig title in early May, adding another domestic crown to a collection that makes them one of the most successful Turkish clubs of this century. The achievement has predictably drawn attention to their best players from European clubs.
The players most likely to attract bids include winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu, midfielder Kaan Ayhan, and several others who have been instrumental in Galatasaray's dominant campaign. Turkish clubs have historically struggled to hold onto their best players when European money comes calling, and Galatasaray's financial situation may force them to consider offers.
Expect multiple Galatasaray players to be linked with moves to Serie A, the Premier League, and the Saudi Pro League as the window progresses. The question is not whether they will lose players, but how many.
Likelihood of at least one major sale: 8/10
9-10. Two More Deals That Could Define the Summer
9. Viktor Gyokeres future: Arsenal's striker has been sensational since joining and his performances in the Champions League knockout rounds have put him in the shop window. If Arsenal win the final, Gyokeres stays. If they lose, clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona will test Arsenal's resolve with offers exceeding €80 million.
10. Harry Kane's Bayern future: Despite another prolific season, Bayern's Champions League elimination has raised questions about whether Kane will stay in Munich for a third year. The English striker has won every individual award available but has yet to lift a team trophy at Bayern. At 32, a return to the Premier League is not off the table if Bayern's project stalls.
What to Watch as the Window Opens
Several factors make the summer 2026 window unique:
- World Cup effect: Players who perform well at the 2026 World Cup will see their values skyrocket. Clubs that complete deals before the tournament starts will save millions.
- PSR pressure: Several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa and Newcastle, are close to Profitability and Sustainability Rules limits and may need to sell before they can buy.
- Saudi Pro League: The Saudi league is expected to make another push for established European stars, particularly players aged 30+ whose clubs are willing to negotiate.
- Manchester United's rebuild: With Rogers and Fernandes potentially joining, United's summer business could be transformative if they get the right players through the door.
The window officially opens in mid-June, but negotiations are already underway. The next six weeks will determine the shape of European football for the 2026/27 season.
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