With the Champions League last 16 fixtures underway, teams will be hoping to progress as far as they can in the competition to keep their best players.
The sight of Europa League or Conference League football is a bonus for most, but elite-level players will want to showcase their talents at the very top.
It's a lull period in terms of transfers a month after the January window has shut. Many will be looking ahead to the summer to see who'll be moving teams.
We were treated to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo moving clubs last summer. It'll be interesting to see which big names will be taking their talents elsewhere soon.
So here are five Champions League players rumoured to move in the summer:
Kylian Mbappé Turns Down PSG Offer
If you haven't been aware of Kylian Mbappé's proposed move to Real Madrid in the summer - you're truly living under a rock. Madrid fell to PSG in their Champions League first leg and Mbappé was the bearer of bad news. They tried to make a deal happen last summer, and reportedly offered more than €200 million with add-ons but couldn't reach an agreement.
Money isn't an option for Paris Saint-Germain and the French club, according to Marca, reportedly offered him a 'blank cheque' to entice him to stay this week. Mbappé reportedly turned it down and looks likely to move to Spain in the summer. PSG have spent buckets of money between transfer fees and wages and a lack of Champions League success could be the final straw.
𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗧𝗖𝗛 goal from Kylian Mbappé 🤩
The Frenchman wins it with practically the LAST kick of the game in Paris 🇫🇷#UCL pic.twitter.com/T5jCSEkSm6— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) February 15, 2022
Gabriel Jesus To Leave Manchester City?
Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus enjoyed a fantastic start to the Premier League season, scoring five goals in his first eight games. However, an injury has ruled him out of action recently. Jesus was also a key player for Man City in the Champions League this year, having netted three times in the Group Stages before injury ruled him out of their first leg with Sporting Lisbon.
According to the Daily Mail, Inter Milan lead the chase to sign Jesus in the summer. He has just one year left on his contract after this season, and the Mail reports that Inter have been fans of him for quite some time. It could all bank on the future of Lautaro Martinez, who has been heavily rumoured with a move away from the Italian club in a few months. A swap deal could be on the cards.
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Who's Leading The Chase For Dybala?
Pablo Dybala is another player expected to move in the summer. Despite enjoying more free reign in the Juventus attack since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Dybala could be forced out due to his injury history and contract situation, as it expires in a few months' time. He's scored twelve goals in all competitions, including three in the Champions League this season.
90min is reporting that Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Man United, and Tottenham could all be enticed to approach Dybala in the summer. They say the players' representatives have confirmed his interest in moving to England, but the clubs themselves aren't as convinced. Dybala almost signed a contract extension before Christmas but could be on the way out of Juventus if they can't afford his wages.
Dybala is at it again ⚽️⚫️
The Argentine has bagged his 2nd #UCL goal of the season to put Juventus ahead! #JUVZEN pic.twitter.com/0AlzuqWriD— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) November 2, 2021
Rudiger Staying In The Premier League
Much has been said of the future of Champions League winner Antonio Rudiger. He's yet to sign a new contract at Chelsea which has only added fuel to the fire in terms of speculation about his departure. As far as the Premier League and Europe is concerned, Rudiger has remained a stalwart at centre-back for Chelsea this season, only missing three games between the two competitions.
Reports from the Daily Mail suggest Manchester United are keen to lure Rudiger to Old Trafford this summer. With his contract up soon, reports suggest he hasn't made a decision on his future but a move away is likely. Chelsea have been unable to sway him to sign a new contract, and Ralf Rangnick is supposedly keen on bringing him in as a free agent to sure up the United defence.
Two Clubs In For Lille's Jonathan David
Canadian international Jonathan David is a hot commodity for Europe's top clubs. Having moved to Lille from Gent two seasons ago, he was instrumental in their Ligue 1 title win last year scoring 13 goals. In the Champions League this week, he started up-front on his own without veteran Burak Yilmaz leading the line. Lille were comfortably beaten by Chelsea and will be favoured to see the tie out.
Domestically, Lille have been awful this season, sitting in eleventh in the Ligue 1 table. They lost their manager Christophe Galtier and a few key players over the summer which hasn't helped. The Daily Mirror report that Arsenal and Newcastle lead the chase to sign the 22-year-old in the next transfer window. Apparently, Newcastle are in 'constant communication' to see the deal through.
See Also: Paris To Replace St. Petersburg As Champions League Final Venue
