Big Stage Boys: Which Club World Cup Stars Could Make Big Money Moves This Summer?

The Club World Cup: hot or not?

The scorching temperatures in the United States have certainly turned up the heat on FIFA’s revamped flagship club tournament, with the players asked to perform at the end of a long, hard season in temperatures in excess of 30 degrees.

The governing body will still need to convince many that the Club World Cup has a place in football’s already hectic schedule, but if nothing else the summer showpiece has achieved what all good tournaments should: introducing the world to a band of exciting new talents that many fans of the beautiful game may not have previously been aware of.

So who has shone on the big stage… and has made themselves a transfer target this summer?

Kenan Yildiz

At the age of 20, Kenan Yildiz has the perfect age profile for a prospective signing.

And the young Turk has advanced his burgeoning reputation at the Club World Cup, scoring three times in Juventus’ first two group games and landing the Man of the Match award for a spellbinding show against Wydad Casablanca.

Able to play from the left, right or as a number ten, Yildiz brings versatility and class to the party at such a young age, and with Juventus no longer the force of old, potential suitors might just find it easier to prise the 20-year-old away from Italy than they might otherwise have done in years gone by.

But buyer beware: Yildiz has a feisty side, picking up six yellow cards and a red during the 2024/25 season.

Vangelis Pavlidis

There have been great sides over the years that have been picked apart by vultures at the big European clubs: think Monaco of 2016/17 – Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, Thomas Lemar and co, as well as Bayer Leverkusen of 2023/24, with Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong amongst those poached already.

The Benfica class of 2024/25 isn’t quite on a par with those eras, but the Portuguese side undoubtedly has a handful of players that could exit for handsome fees this summer, Vangelis Pavlidis amongst them.

The Greek striker is remarkably durable, having played 64 times (and counting) for club and country during 2024/25. And he brings a predatory eye for goal, always worth their weight in gold, having found the net on 33 occasions.

But Pavlidis isn’t just an out-an-out striker: he drops in, links up the play and has tremendous football intelligence (ten assists this term), plus many more chances created, is testament to that.

Florentino Luis

Pavlidis’ Benfica teammate, Florentino Luis, is another that will be on the radar… thanks in part to his Club World Cup performances.

He’s a classic midfield destroyer; in fact, during the Champions League’s pool phase, he averaged four tackles per game… the third-best tally in the competition.

The Portuguese has continued in that vein at the Club World Cup, averaging a remarkable seven tackles per game, but continues to impress with his intelligence which saw him make bundles of interceptions in 2024/25, not to mention hia athleticism.

Any club seeking a midfield general as the foundation of their play could do worse that to take a look at Florentino.

Jhon Arias

One of the joys of the Club World Cup so far has been the success of the Brazilian teams, wit, at the time of writing, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Botafogo all safely through to the last 16.

They could yet be joined by Fluminense, who will be leaning on the talents of Jhon Arias to guide them through to the knockout phase.

The Colombian is such an impressive performer, able to play from the left or the right with equal brilliance. The 27-year-old has two goal involvements in as many starts at the Club World Cup, building on a fine campaign so far that has delivered three goals and six assists in the ever-challenging Brazilian Serie A.

According to WhoScored, who have documented Arias’ performances back to 2021, he has 52 goal involvements in 129 appearances for Fluminense and Colombia, winning 23 Man of the Match awards, a hit rate of a whopping 18%.

Igor Jesus

Whether in the United States or watching on from home, scouts will have been keeping a close eye on the Club World Cup… with Igor Jesus one of those most likely to have captured the imagination.

In the tradition of brilliant Brazilian footballer nicknames, Jesus is nicknamed the Little Frog, presumably for his off the ball movement, as opposed to a penchant for eating insects.

Having scored against Seattle Sounders before netting the winner against PSG, the 24-year-old will have been leaping for joy. A move from Botafogo to a European giant is all the more likely now.

Jesus helped Botafogo to the Brazilian Serie A title and hoisted the Copa Libertadores in 2024, so he knows what it takes to be a success at the highest level.

Botafogo are part of a multi-club network with Benfica and Crystal Palace…. What a coup it would be for the Eagles to snap up Igor Jesus. Others, including Nottingham Forest, have been linked with the powerful frontman. 

Francisco Conceicao

It’s complicated: that might be the best way to describe Francisco Conceicao’s transfer status.

Technically, he belongs to FC Porto, but has spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Juventus, who were granted special permission to field the Portuguese winger during the Club World Cup.

According to media reports, the Old Lady are keen on signing Conceicao permanently, but having caught the eye over in America, they may now have competition for his signature.

The 22-year-old scored twice and won the Man of the Match award against Al Ain, having featured prominently in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League semi-final against Germany just prior, scoring and being declared Man of the Match in a thrilling 32-minute cameo.

Conceicao is starting to mature and produce performances of the highest calibre – will he, and the other players that feature in this article, secure a big money move this summer accordingly? 

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