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The summer of 2026 in European football is now played out to the second. The day after a World Cup concluded with Spain's triumph, sporting directors have taken back control, and the transfer dance is in full swing. On July 21, several hot topics moved up a gear: a possible return of Rodri to Real Madrid, an imminent extension for Luka Modric at AC Milan, and a renewed offensive by PSG for Ferran Torres. Here is the state of play at midday, case by case.
A return to Madrid taking shape
According to Matteo Moretto and Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid is revising its plans regarding Rodri.
According to Matteo Moretto and Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid is revising its plans regarding Rodri. Initially closed, the door is now opening a crack after the World Cup, where the Spanish midfielder was named the tournament's best player. Some members of the Madrid board are now pushing for an agreement, while Florentino Pérez remains publicly silent. For his part, the player is said to be open to a return to La Liga. The question of the fee remains: Manchester City, who snatched him from Atlético, will not let their playmaker go cheaply. The scenario of a permanent transfer this summer seems tight, but a loan with an option to buy is not ruled out.
Modric, one more year with the Rossoneri
Luka Modric has not had his last word. According to Sky Italia, picked up by Foot Mercato and Sport.fr, the 40-year-old Croatian is very close to extending his contract for one more season with AC Milan. The initial contract, which expired on July 1, did not prevent the Rossoneri from negotiating discreetly with their veteran. Ruben Amorim, Milan's new coach, has made keeping Modric a tactical priority. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner therefore continues to defy time, and Serie A can rejoice.
PSG and Real Madrid battling for Ferran Torres
With one year left on his contract, Ferran Torres is one of the most sought-after attackers on the market. According to L'Équipe, PSG is still tracking the Spaniard, hero of the World Cup final against Argentina (1-0 a.e.t.), and has relaunched discussions with FC Barcelona. The Catalan club was still demanding around fifty million euros recently. Problem: Real Madrid has joined the dance, which changes the game. Laporta, for his part, is playing for time. The player himself is hesitating: sporting priority, guarantee of playing time, playing project. RMC Sport already reminded us in mid-July that PSG will have to convince on status, not just on salary.
Pavard, Sinayoko, Sarr, Depay: the other hot topics
Several cases are progressing in parallel. In Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport mentions a transformed Benjamin Pavard at Inter, to the point that the Milan club could keep him despite an initial departure list. The Frenchman, recently repositioned, has regained a defensive solidity that no one can ignore anymore. In France, Lassine Sinayoko, long blocked by Auxerre, has officially become a Paris FC player until 2029, as confirmed by the Parisian club and Maxifoot. A good deal for the promoted side, which gets a 26-year-old striker in full maturity.
On the OM side, the Memphis Depay track has, on the other hand, been closed for good, according to Foot Mercato. The wage demands of the Dutch striker, free since leaving Atlético, discouraged the Marseille leaders. Malang Sarr, for his part, is heading to Saudi Arabia and Christophe Galtier's Neom FC, after a successful season at Lens, according to several consistent sources. As for AS Roma, they see Crysencio Summerville slipping away, close to Al Hilal for more than 70 million euros according to The Athletic.
And elsewhere in Europe
Manchester United has taken a lead over Arsenal in the Manu Koné case, reveals L'Équipe, even if the Manchester club does not plan to speed things up. Barça, for its part, wants to reform its world champion defensive pairing and is trying to bring back Aymeric Laporte, whose release clause at Athletic Club stands at 15 million euros according to Sport. Aston Villa has made a first offer for Alejandro Garnacho, while Morgan Rogers is about to sign for Chelsea, confirms Fabrizio Romano. Manchester City, finally, has reached a contractual agreement with young Ayyoub Bouaddi and is now negotiating with LOSC to finalize his arrival.
In the midst of this mega transfer window, one constant: Premier League clubs still dictate the financial tempo. But Paris and Madrid, through their history and means, still weigh on the decisions. The next two weeks will tell whether the momentum really shifts.