Clubs have already been racing to get early deals done this summer ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.

The redesigned and broadened tournament has not only extended the club football season past May, but it has also introduced a novel and peculiar registration timeframe.

The first part of this unusually divided window opened on June 1 and will close on June 10, four days before FIFA’s newly formatted tournament begins. This gives teams a brief span to finalize deals.

In fact, only six days will pass before the window reopens on June 16 and continues until it closes on September 1.

With just eight days left before the initial window shuts – although teams won’t cease deal-making efforts – we at Mail Sport examine 10 players who might transfer in the coming week.

Cristiano Ronaldo 

‘This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.’

Now, that very much sounds like a goodbye, doesn’t it? This was the caption of Cristiano Ronaldo’s social media post following Al-Nassr’s final game of the Saudi Pro League season.

The cryptic social media post came just days after Gianni Infantino claimed Ronaldo could participate in the Club World Cup, with the FIFA president saying that ‘discussions’ had taken place over Ronaldo joining one of the competing teams.

With Al-Nassr having missed out on the Club World Cup, Infantino’s comment set speculation into overdrive, despite Ronaldo being 40 years old and past his prime.

Reports suggested he could move to fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, the nation’s only participants in the competition. Brazilian side Botafogo were touted as another option, with head coach Renato Paiva previously stated ‘you can’t say no to a star like that’.

Al-Nassr chiefs, however, remained insistent Ronaldo was in talks to renew his contract, which expires at the end of the month. Foot Mercato then reported Ronaldo has made a U-turn and could sign a £167m-per-year contract extension.

With the first transfer deadline designed around the Club World Cup, Ronaldo’s future looks certain to become clear in the coming days. 

Bruno Fernandes 

Al-Hilal have set their sights on a marquee signing ahead of the Club World Cup, with Man United’s captain their main target.

Mail Sport reported that Fernandes has less than a week to decide whether he is going to take the £200million deal on the table from the Saudi club, before they are forced to switch their attentions to other targets.

Al-Hilal want a response to their offer of £700,000-a-week tax-free plus bonuses, before approaching United with an offer in the region of £100m.

Fernandes admitted after the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham that he could be sold to balance the books, saying: ‘If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in, it is what it is.’ 

With this deal, it’s largely down to Fernandes. What does he do? He is United’s best player – they have practically been a one-man team – and Ruben Amorim has consistently told the media of his desire to keep his skipper in Manchester.

Whether United would definitely accept Al-Hilal’s offer is yet to be seen, but we are all just waiting to see what Fernandes decides to do first. If he does say yes to Al-Hilal, it’s hard to see United convincing him to stay put.

It’s a massive week in Fernandes’ career. Stick or twist? That’s the question.

Florian Wirtz

Now, this could be the deal of the summer. It may be early doors in the transfer window, but if Florian Wirtz is to move to Liverpool, it will surely be the most expensive of the summer.

The Reds succeeded in stealing a march on Man City, who have moved on to other targets, while Bayern Munich chiefs have reportedly been left stunned at missing out on one of their leading targets. 

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Co have offered a monstrous £110million for the Bayer Leverkusen star It has since reportedly been rejected, but a middle ground is expected to be found between the clubs soon.

Mail Sport reported on Monday that Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah are both admired by Leverkusen, and either could be proposed as makeweight. 

With Jeremie Frimpong through the door already at Liverpool, don’t be surprised if he is joined by Wirtz in the next week. He is on international duty with Germany, however, which could potentially delay any confirmation when a deal is done.

The indications are that Liverpool and Leverkusen could shake hands at €143million (£120m), and when that happens, Reds fans will be able to celebrate a statement summer signing.

It’s safe to say that these are exciting times for the Premier League champions, who are taking no time at all to show their intent.

Milos Kerkez

After making only one senior summer signing last year in Federico Chiesa, Liverpool’s transfer war chest looks to now be well and truly open. 

They have Frimpong, they are closing in on Wirtz, and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez may not be far behind.

In years gone by, Liverpool have been a club to keep transfer cards close to their chest, but not this year. Kerkez has been on the Reds’ radar for a while, with his name cropping up as a potential target constantly over the past few months.

Their interest in the defender is accelerating, and while they have not yet submitted a formal offer, there is a feeling that the 21-year-old will succeed Andy Robertson as Liverpool’s long-term first-choice left-back.

Manchester City were said to be interested in rivalling Slot’s side for Kerkez’s signature, but it appears they have moved onto Rayan Ait-Nouri in their search for a left-back.

Personal terms are supposedly not seen to be an issue with Kerkez, and if Liverpool match Bournemouth’s valuation of £45million, expect to see him at Anfield next season.

Whether that offer comes in, is yet to be seen. Keep your eyes peeled for any updates this week.

Rayan Cherki

Manchester City are set for another busy summer. Rayan Ait-Nouri is not the only player that Pep Guardiola is interested in, far from it.

With Man City having dropped out of the race for Wirtz, Guardiola has looked elswhere for a attacking midfielder who can star in a rejuvenated side.

Mail Sport reported on Sunday night that the 2023 treble-winners have opened talks with Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, who had previously been a target of Manchester United.

Guardiola has given the green light for City to bid for Cherki, who is valued at just £35million – a snip when compared to Wirtz – after holding talks with the 21-year-old.

The rising star of French football has the potential to star in Premier League under the right stewardship. His performances against United in the Europa League this season underlined his talent. He was a delight to watch, even if Lyon suffered a late collapse to crash out.

With Kevin De Bruyne out the door, the 21-year-old seems like the perfect replacement, and we could see this move accelerate in the coming days before City head to the United States for the Club World Cup.

Jamie Gittens 

Chelsea are currently weighing up whether they want to make a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, who is valued at £50million after a breakthrough campaign in the Bundesliga.

With Jadon Sancho’s future at Chelsea still up in the air – with the club debating whether to turn on their obligation to buy the Manchester United loanee for £25m – the Blues have reportedly begun talks with Dortmund over signing Gittens. 

His numbers are strong, with 12 goals and five assists last season, and his dribbling ability down the left is one that Chelsea crave. 

The west London side are believed to be pushing for a deal to be completed quickly due to both their and Dortmund’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on June 14. 

Gittens would be able to play for the Blues in the competition, should he sign, due to not being selected in Lee Carsley’s Young Lions squad as they seek to retain the Under-21s Euros in Slovakia this summer. 

Luis Diaz 

With Liverpool looking to spend big this summer, the Reds could see several outgoings with the frontline shaken up.

Many believe that Darwin Nunez is the most likely of the front six to depart this summer, but in recent days a pair of cryptic social media posts have signalled that Luis Diaz could bid farewell to Anfield.

‘It’s hard to find fans anywhere in the world as dedicated and passionate as these,’ Diaz wrote on Instagram in a post dedicated to Liverpool’s title win. ‘Anyone who plays for this badge is bound to miss this incredible atmosphere one day.’

Many Liverpool fans have taken the post to be Diaz was implying that he is on his way out and he is going to miss them. This feeling then only grew when his partner, Gera Ponce, wrote an even more emotional post thanking Liverpool supporters.

‘From the first day we arrived, we felt firsthand what it means to be a part of this club,’ she wrote. ‘We knew the slogan was ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, but to hear them sing it with so much passion, support each other at every moment, and show such unconditional love… confirmed to us that here you never walk alone.

‘This fan doesn’t just support, it feels. And what you have made my boyfriend and our entire family feel is something we carry in our souls. Thank you for so much love, for so much dedication, and for making us feel at home. Being a part of this fan is a privilege. There’s no doubt: they’re the best in the world.’

Barcelona are known to be admirers of the Liverpool winger – who netted 17 times for Arne Slot’s side across all competitions last season – but there is also interest growing within Saudi Arabia.

Could Diaz be in for an Anfield exit? We will have to wait and see.

Tijjani Reijnders 

If Manchester City want to return to the top of the Premier League after a disappointing season, their aging midfield looks in need of an overhaul.

With Rodri missing the majority of the season through an ACL injury, Guardiola’s side had no legs in the middle of the park. They were relying on De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva – who are all over 30 – to do a lot of the legwork.

Nico Gonzalez was brought in from Porto for £50m in January, but he struggled to break into the side even with Rodri absent, while Mateo Kovacic is 31 years old.

Well, with talks ongoing for Cherki, the eight-time Premier League champions have also been showing strong interest in AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders.

The midfielder, who is valued at £55m, has impressed in a poor year for the Rossoneri. Should both deals progress, it will cast doubt over a move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.

Hugo Ekitike

Everybody seems to need a striker this summer. Arsenal need one. Liverpool need one. Chelsea need one. And of course, Manchester United are desperate for one.

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has been a name thrown about a lot, especially when it comes to the Gunners. The Swede was the Premier League’s best frontman last season, so it’s only natural.

However, prices of well over £100m have been talked about regarding Isak, so it feels unlikely he will leave the Magpies, especially now that they have secured Champions League football for next season.

So, who should all these top teams go for? Well, both Chelsea and Liverpool have been linked to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who netted 22 goals in 48 appearances in an impressive campaign in Germany.

Despite closing in on the signing of Liam Delap, the feeling is that Chelsea are in a stronger position to land the French striker, but the Premier League champions will attempt to battle hard for him.

The 22-year-old forward’s valuation of £84m could put a spanner in the works for any potential suitors, though. Especially Liverpool, who are already spending the big bucks on Wirtz.

One to watch for sure, but a saga that could roll on into the second window. 

Alvaro Carreras

Man United fans, do you remember this Alvaro Carreras?

The Benfica has had some rise this season and has seen Real Madrid take an interest in bringing him to the Bernabeu. The funny thing is, they actually let him leave five years ago.

Back then Carreras was just a 17-year-old and he ended up switching from one European giant to another in United. However, things didn’t go to plan.

Just last summer, having never made a senior appearance for the club, Carreras left Old Trafford and moved to Benfica for just £5m. 

Now, though his value has gone through the roof.

Carreras has played 50 matches in all competitions for Benfica this season, scoring four goals and providing five assists, winning the Portuguese League Cup in the process.

His breakthrough season has caused Los Blancos to show interest in bringing him back to the club. Carreras has a release clause of £42m, but it is expected that they will negotiate a lower fee with Benfica.

This is another move that could be accelerated due to Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup.

We could see Trent Alexander-Arnold on one flank, and Carreras on the other.