ORDINARILY, the end of a World Cup sparks a transfer frenzy as the biggest clubs scramble to sign the tournament’s breakthrough stars – from Liverpool signing Senegal standout El Hadji Diouf in 2002 to Real Madrid making James Rodriguez one of the most expensive players in history in 2014 to Manchester United spending a record fee for a defender to sign Harry Maguire in 2018.

But Qatar 2022 was anything but ordinary. With the competition being held in the winter, the next available transfer window in which clubs can swoop for tournament stars is January, and the biggest deals tend not to happen mid-season.

So imminent moves for the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi or any of the biggest names on show in the Middle East this past month are unlikely. Instead, there are a handful of players who shone in Qatar whose rising profile or unique club situation could make them targets for top sides when the transfer market reopens.

Marcus Thuram

France forward Marcus Thuram ultimately fell short of matching his father Lilian’s feat of claiming a World Cup winner’s medal for Les Bleus, but the Borussia Monchengladbach man impressed in game-changing cameo appearances off the bench in the semi-final and final.

With his blistering pace, directness and skilful dribbling, Thuram’s introduction against Morocco and then in the eventual shootout loss to Argentina helped swing each game’s momentum in favour of Didier Deschamps’ men.

And with his Gladbach contract set to expire at the end of the season, he is reportedly available in a cut-price £9m deal next month. Manchester United, in need of attacking reinforcements following Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure, are said to be interested in the player who has returned a formidable 10 goals in 15 Bundesliga games since being redeployed as an out-and-out striker – rather than a winger – this term.

Cody Gakpo

Another player believed to be on United’s radar is Netherlands star Cody Gakpo.

The Red Devils reportedly considered a £25m move for the PSV winger last summer, and a move to Leeds almost materialised late in the transfer window. But Gakpo’s exploits at the World Cup – where his three goals were crucial to a quarter-final run that was only ended by a shootout defeat to the eventual champions – will surely have seen his value double.

Gakpo successfully carried his PSV form to Qatar, having racked up 15 goals and 18 assists for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side before the club season paused for international football’s showpiece. Now that he has proven his pedigree on the highest stage, there will be no shortage of interest in the versatile 23-year-old attacker.

Azzedine Ounahi

In a world of global football coverage and highlight clips shared far, wide and instantaneously via social media, it is difficult for a truly unheralded star to emerge from seemingly nowhere to shine at a World Cup any more. But, for many fans, Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi achieved just that in Qatar.

The 22-year-old creative midfielder has impressed with Angers in Ligue 1 since a 2021 move from relative obscurity with third-tier French side Avranches. His performances at the World Cup, though, have seen his profile grow exponentially.

Ounahi proved to be fearless and inventive as he drove forward from midfield along Morocco’s odds-defying semi-final run, and the youngster is now reportedly a target for several Premier League clubs, including, West Ham, Leicester and Leeds.

Sofyan Amrabat

Ounahi is not the only Morocco star finding himself the subject of frenzied mid-season transfer rumours on the strength of his World Cup showing.

Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat made many pundits’ Team of the Tournament for his uncompromising, tough-tackling play as the midfield enforcer protecting the most impressive defence at Qatar 2022.

Now, reports suggest Liverpool are lining up a £40m move for the 27-year-old, whom they hope to pair with England and Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham to form a new-look Anfield midfield.

Joao Felix

Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix is by far the biggest name listed here, with the 23-year-old considered one of the brightest young attackers in Europe long before the 2022 World Cup.

And rather than his performances in Qatar being the motivating factor behind a potential January switch, it is a supposed fallout with manager Diego Simeone and a slide down the pecking order at the Wanda Metropolitano that is causing some of Europe’s biggest clubs to consider a January move for Felix.

Felix showed flashes of his undeniable creative talents at the World Cup, scoring in Portugal’s thrilling 3-2 opening-game win over Senegal and providing two assists in the 6-1 demolition of Switzerland in the last 16. Still, Atletico are believed to be willing to cash in of the player they paid around £100m to sign from Benfica in 2019. Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa have all be linked.

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