Premier League clubs look set to battle it out for Valencia star Yunus Musah in 2023. The 19-year-old USA midfielder was one of the standout performers for Gregg Berhalter's side at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and dazzled against England.
Alongside Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie - another player who is in-demand in the Premier League - Musah was an strong energetic force in the centre of the pitch and demonstrated brilliant technical skills to help control the game against Gareth Southgate's Three Lions.
Having left Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2019, the Gunners are one of the sides interested in bringing him back to England, but Chelsea are also in the mix due to their own midfield issues heading into the New Year. Musah only signed a new deal in 2020 once promoted from within the club in Spain and still has four years left on his current deal, but performances at the World Cup have alerted clubs to his talent.
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Arsenal were already keeping tabs on him and Chelsea have also now made progress in the deal, speaking to his representatives, according to 90min. However, his £86million release clause complicates matters, and his agent has already revealed that he won't be sold on the cheap in 2023.
Liverpool are also looking to bolster their midfield due to injury issues for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur, as well as the ageing Jordan Henderson too. The Reds are well known targets for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, and he is another player that remains a key potential capture for both Chelsea and Arsenal.
Jurgen Klopp's side may have taken advantage of the England players Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold being in close quarters with Bellingham and are reportedly top of his current preferred destination list, according to Sport Bild in Germany.
Such is the talent pool of young midfielders on display at the World Cup there is a fight for most players, and Musah is just another one there will be a clamour to sign next year.
Although he isn't a goalscoring threat, with just five goals in 81 matches for Valencia, Musah has over 100 senior appearances as a teenager and possesses the tactical versatility to play across midfield, even in wider spaces.
His movement and speed against Bellingham, Declan Rice and Mason Mount in the group stage demonstrated that on the highest stage, and now the top four contenders will be battling it out for one of their transfer targets as well as the league position.
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