The international break: the bane of football clubs and managers' lives - and sometimes even fans'.
With Nations League group games, World Cup play-offs, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and friendly matches taking centre stage for another week, the summer transfer window is on hold before it can be unleashed into full swing.
As the European market officially opens this Friday, clubs and players are scheming behind the scenes in a bid to make a strong start to the new season.
So, when the final whistles sound around the world, some of the most hotly-anticipated moves can finally be made after weeks if not months of speculation. With that in mind, here are 14 transfers which are set to accelerate after international break.
Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United
Kicking off with arguably the most talked-about deal of the window already, Manchester United are attempting to convince Frenkie De Jong to swap the Camp Nou for Old Trafford. Barcelona are willing to sell the midfield maestro, who has refused to deny transfer talks with Erik ten Hag, the man who coached him at Ajax.
De Jong would prefer to stay put, though, meaning that the Red Devils have their work cut out not only on the financial front, but on a personal level, too. Louis van Gaal is currently in charge of him on international duty, and the former United boss is rarely complimentary about his old employers.
Jurrien Timber to Manchester United
Staying in the Netherlands camp, present Ajax star Timber is another of Ten Hag's top targets. While it's been widely reported that the Red Devils have opened talks with the Amsterdam club, there's been no movement during the break. The promising defender fits United's bill for forging a new spine, but Timber himself has hinted that he could stay at the Johan Cruyff Arena for another year.
"In the end, my gut feeling will be the deciding factor," the highly-rated 20-year-old, who the new Red Devils boss also brought through at Ajax, was quoted as saying by De Telegraaf. "The picture has to be right. You can go to a big club. But if you're not going to play there it's better to stay with Ajax. And Ajax is also a big club.
"We play football in the Champions League and I play there together with the best players in the Netherlands. That is not nothing. Of course, I can develop further [at Ajax]. I am 100 per cent sure of that. I don't feel like I'm done at the club. But I can also develop at other clubs."
Darwin Nunez to Liverpool
The breakout star of last season's Champions League among the 'weaker' sides, Darwin Nunez exploded onto the scene with 34 goals in 41 games as Benfica's first-choice striker at the tender age of 22. That's prompted the Portuguese giants to slap an eye-watering £85 million price tag on his head - and Liverpool are making their move, hoping that a bid just shy of that will do the job.
Anfield chiefs are already in talks over a move, identifying him as the ideal candidate to evolve Jurgen Klopp's forward firepower and lead the line for years to come.
The Uruguayan is said to favour a move to Merseyside over United, as Mirror Football exclusively reported that Nunez wants to continue featuring in Europe's premier competition next season.
Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich
Speaking of evolving Klopp's attack, the end of an era is nigh at Anfield.
Having been tentatively linked with a move away throughout their quadruple-chasing campaign, Sadio Mane has suddenly made it crystal clear that he's considering leaving Liverpool, with only one year left on his contract.
The Senegal star has even hinted that he'll follow the will of his home country by making a name for himself at another club, as Bayern Munich remain the overwhelming favourites to sign him.
However, Mirror Football understands that the German giants' 'insulted' second offer was still laughed off by Liverpool bigwigs. Still in Africa, there's more drama to come with this one.
Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona
Why do Bayern need to sign a new striker, they've got Robert Lewandowski? Well, not for long it seems.
The Poland captain has labelled his story in Bavaria "over" and made plenty of fuss while on international duty. After scoring a sublime goal in his nation's calamitous 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Belgium on Wednesday, Lewandowski doesn't want to head back to Bayern for pre-season.
Instead, the master marksman and wife Anna are keen to board a one-way flight to Catalonia and call Barcelona their new home.
This move could all be a result of a chain reaction, with Liverpool wanting Nunez secured before they sell Mane, who Bayern will want to have wrapped up before sanctioning Lewandowski's departure. The clock is ticking for the 33-year-old.
Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal
Sticking in the striker department and moving on to Arsenal's business, the Gunners are shooting their shot for Gabriel Jesus.
The Manchester City ace played an important role in their title win last term, but it's expected that the Brazilian is keen for more regular game time away from the Etihad.
It's no surprise given the arrivals of both Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, two forwards who City will see as the future.
For now, though, Jesus wants to concentrate on exploits in South America before deciding his next steps. Amid the celebrations of top-flight title number four for him, the 25-year-old told ESPN Brazil : "On vacation, I [will] decide about my future."
Youri Tielemans to Arsenal
Mikel Arteta isn't just looking to make a big-money signing up front, but the Arsenal manager is keen on bolstering his midfield options.
Youri Tielemans is reportedly the Gunners' top target and could be available at a cut-price fee of £25m given his deal with Leicester City expires in 12 months' time.
Currently starring for Belgium, the 25-year-old recently opened up on his future and declared: "[A transfer] is not out of the question. But I can also stay. I feel very good at Leicester, I was welcomed with open arms from day one. I give everything for the club until the last day.
"But of course you have to listen to other opportunities, you have to look at your career, and sometimes you have to make choices. Maybe one will come my way. You need to stay calm. I’m good where I am. I still have a year left on my contract. I'm not in a rush. When you change clubs, you don’t change just to change. You change because there is a great project on the table."
Ruben Neves to Manchester United or Barcelona
If Tielemans can't be acquired, Arsenal's back-up is believed to be Ruben Neves. But after proving himself as one of the best deep-lying players in the Premier League since Wolves ' promotion in 2018, the Portuguese has also been linked to United and Barcelona.
At the moment, Neves is with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot in their homeland. But the most telling indication regarding a transfer came from Wolves technical director Scott Sellers when speaking to club media.
"Ruben's a top player; Ruben's been fantastic this season and I think showed again his quality, also I think showed how happy he is here, so I think that's something we as a club know as well," Sellars explained.
"The ideal situation is we want him to stay, and I've spoken to him about it. But I'm also realistic that when you’ve got an outstanding player then the top clubs are going to come and try to see what the situation is. Again, it will be discussed, and what’s right for the club, and will certainly be something we'll look at."
Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City
Another in-demand holding midfielder is Kalvin Phillips. The Leeds linchpin is admired by the division's very best, and United and Liverpool have both been strongly linked. The Sun, however, report that City will take the initiative once his time with England comes to an end. Given his early injury against Germany on Tuesday, talks could be sooner than expected.
Pep Guardiola is said to have described Phillips as "ideal" for the champions, who want to replace club legend Fernandinho, and a big-money move to the blue side of Manchester would be much more amicable given Leeds' historic rivalry with United.
A local hero in the Yorkshire city, his beloved club's search for a replacement in Bayern Munich cast-off Marc Roca is also telling.
Raphinha to Barcelona
Keeping focus on events Elland Road, it's long been anticipated that the mercurial winger Raphinha will be packing his bags once the window opens. Barcelona and Liverpool as well as Bayern have been tagged as interested, but the Brazilian will come at a cost.
£60m is the rumoured price, and Raphinha won't risk losing his his World Cup spot by making the wrong move. "If I said it doesn't matter, I'd be lying, especially knowing that there are less than six months to go until the World Cup," the ex-Rennes dynamo explained.
"I have to be active at the club where I am, this weighs on my decision, but I am confident in my potential. If it is to continue at Leeds or to leave, I am going to give my best, find my space and I am going to try be well for the World Cup."
Richarlison to Chelsea, PSG or Real Madrid
A fellow Brazil international hoping to progress his career at a top club is Richarlison, the man who dragged Everton to Premier League survival last season.
With their status assured for another campaign, the 25-year-old is assessing his options, as Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are claimed to be his preferred destinations, however unlikely.
"I've already made it clear to the board. I've already talked to Frank Lampard too, with my agents and they know what I want. Let's wait for June," Richarlison recently made clear. "Now I can't talk, because when we talk about leaving a club I'm kind of like this, because of the history I have at Everton, the affection that the fans have for me. When we talk about leaving I'm a little speechless."
Jules Kounde to Chelsea
Usually when there's a takeover involving one of the Premier League's biggest clubs, the back pages are ablaze with transfer rumours as the owners look to splash the cash.
In Chelsea's case, though, all has been relatively quiet. Still, long-term target Jules Kounde remains on the agenda.
The France defender will find leaving Sevilla difficulties given that Spanish club have already sold senior centre-back Diego Carlos, but Thomas Tuchel is believed to have been a fan of Kounde for well over a year. Versatile and comfortable on the ball, the 23-year-old's arrival will offset the double departure of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Pau Torres to Manchester United or Tottenham
A LaLiga colleague of Kounde's, Pau Torres is Villarreal's own defensive star. The 25-year-old, who featured for Spain at last summer's European Championships, is on United's wish-list as well as Tottenham Hotspur's.
Reports suggest that the Red Devils are much further down the line with a deal, although Spurs can offer former Villarreal loanee Giovani Lo Celso in a player-plus cash move.
Ten Hag has reportedly been consulted by United's recruitment team regarding a swoop, although Timber appears to be his priority. Elegant on the ball and left-footed, there's no doubt his qualities would be appreciated in both Manchester and north London, although his lack of physicality is concern. A recent Champions League semi-finalist, a transfer looks closer by the day.
Christian Eriksen to any Premier League club
Last but certainly not least, the fact Christian Eriksen makes this list nearly a year after suffering cardiac arrest during Denmark's Euro 2020 campaign is a testament to not only his quality as a footballer, but his character, too.
Now that his six-month contract with Brentford has expired following a superb spell in west London, the Dane is assessing his options.
Eriksen has been backed to join any of the Premier League's 'Big Six', while Brentford are prepared to break their tightly-controlled wage structure in order to keep him at the club. Now 30 but with an evergreen style of play, practically everyone has loved seeing the former Spurs star grace the English game again and we'd love to watch him once more next term.
Join the debate! Which transfer do you want to see happen this summer? Give us your pick in the comments section.
Eriksen, who's impressed on the international stage this month, opened up on his future decision in May and told BBC Sport : "I don't know what the future holds. It will be a decision from a sporting perspective but also be a family perspective going into the decision of where we're going to go."
Asked if Brentford are in the conversation, the ex-Ajax playmaker declared: "They are, they definitely are. I haven't made up my mind 100 per cent of where I'm going. I have an idea, but what's going to happen I don't know. But Brentford are definitely in the category of one of the clubs."
