The World Cup has produced some memorable moments for the history books so far. Saudi Arabia beating Argentina and Japan’s triumphs over Germany and Spain are two all-time classics.
In the quarter-finals, a night of penalty shoot-outs saw Argentina and Croatia progress - with Brazil crashing out - to blow the tournament wide open. Several players, too, are becoming household names for their stellar performances in Qatar.
The biggest stage of all allows for players to audition and put themselves in the shop window for a move. With the January transfer window just weeks away, clubs may pounce on the World Cup momentum to bolster their squads.
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Prices will inevitably be inflated for those tearing up the tournament. Like Mesut Ozil and James Rodriguez from yesteryear, impressing in front of the world can be the springboard for a successful career.
Newcastle United, as the richest club on the planet, will have their recruitment team fixed to all 64 games. January provides the next opportunity for the new Saudi-backed regime to close the gap between Europe’s elite.
Ahead of the winter window, ChronicleLive has profiled three top-tier signings the Magpies should make who have taken the World Cup by storm.
Cody Gakpo
Gakpo’s fruitful tournament came to a crushing end on Friday night when the Netherlands lost to Argentina on penalties. Three goals in Qatar has placed the PSV sensation firmly in the mix for a move.
Rumours have surrounded Gakpo - who has 13 goals and 17 assists this season - throughout the World Cup, with Leeds United reportedly interested in the summer. He hinted at a possible transfer to Dutch media last week.
“As it stands now, I will still be playing for PSV after the winter break,” Gakpo told De Telegraaf. “But, as I said before the start of the World Cup, we will see what happens.”
Josko Gvardiol
Croatia are on the cusp of back-to-back finals - and a lot of that is down to Gvardiol. The mask-wearing centre-back has been rock solid in defence, thwarting a mercurial Brazil attack until the 105th minute.
Real Madrid are reportedly snooping around, with an £80million price tag mooted by RB Leipzig. At just 20, Gvardiol would be a long-term statement signing that could cement Newcastle’s European finish.
Can you imagine a decade-long partnership with him and Sven Botman?
Enzo Fernandez
A deep-lying, combative midfielder with a tidy pass in his arsenal, Fernandez has burst onto the scene for Argentina. The two-time champions’ shock opening-game defeat to Saudi Arabia gave the Benfica man an opportunity to shine - and he took it with both hands.
A stunning goal against Mexico capped off a brilliant performance and only a change in system saw him dropped for the quarter-final clash. His Benfica teammate, Goncalo Ramos, could have easily made this list as well.
The Portuguese forward was linked with a summer move to Tyneside and bagged a breathtaking hat-trick in the last 16. Estadio da Luz chiefs will be bracing themselves for two monstrous offers for the pair.
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