Following reports that Paris Saint-Germain are pursuing Burkina Faso star Edmond Tapsoba in a potential record-breaking move, KickOff's Lukhanyo Mtuta looks at five African stars in Europe who could make big transfers ahead of 2024/25.
Tapsoba reportedly has a €100 million release clause in his contract with Bayer Leverkusen and it is believed that PSG has already made an approach to the defender over a potential transfer.
Given the stellar 2023/24 campaign he had under manager Xabi Alonso, Tapsoba is thought to be one of the most highly sought-after centre-backs in Europe, with Manchester United also supposedly keen on the 25-year-old.
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With Tapsoba now the subject of increasing speculation, here are four other African stars who could be set for a big move in this transfer window:
Victor Osimhen - Nigeria
It has been extensively reported that Osimhen will leave Napoli ahead of next season, with the Nigerian reportedly having a release clause above €120 million (R2.3 billion), which would make him a record buy for many clubs. While the centre-forward has been linked with a move to the Premier League and PSG, a report by Football Transfers claims that Saudi outfit Al Ahli are the only team willing to pay the player's release clause. Furthermore, the club are reportedly prepared to pay Osimhen a mouthwatering salary of €15 million (R294 million) per year for three seasons.
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Mohamed Salah - Egypt
According to various reports, there's no absolute certainty that Salah will stay at Liverpool and see out the final season of his contract next term. The pacey forward is still linked with a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League after their failed attempts to prise him away from Anfield at the beginning of last season.
Former Reds star Jose Enrique now believes Salah is open to the possibility of leaving England for the Gulf State. He told Grosvenor Sports: "For instance, I'd renew Virgil van Dijk's contract without hesitation, but with Salah, there's the Saudi option, and he could become an even bigger star out there than Cristiano Ronaldo. Last year, there were offers from Saudi Arabia for Salah.
"We all know that when an offer is made, personal terms have likely been agreed upon, so it's clear he's open to the idea of moving on from Liverpool."
Mohammed Kudus - Ghana
According to the Liverpool Echo, Kudus has emerged as a potential target at Anfield. The report claims that there's a possibility that Salah and Luis Diaz could leave the club ahead of next term, with the Colombian winger linked with a switch to Spain. As such, Kudus is viewed as one of the top candidates to replace the aforementioned pair. It is also believed that the Ghanaian has a release clause in his contract, but it's unclear if it will come into effect in the current window, as his club West Ham United has kept the details undisclosed.
Serhou Guirassy - Guinea
After 30 goals and three assists in 30 games for Stuttgart last season, Guirassy is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe right now. The Guinean reportedly has an appetisingly low release clause of £17 million (R395 million), which is said to have piqued the interest of clubs like Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Man Utd. The marksman recently revealed that he will decide his future in the coming weeks.
Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, Guirassy addressed the reports linking him with a move to Dortmund stating that BVB are "a very big club", before adding: "But nothing is advanced, I'm still under contract with VfB [Stuttgart]. Now it's time for a vacation. We'll know in a few weeks what will happen."
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