Star names across the continent are using whatever powers they have at their disposal to try to get the moves - or stays - they want this summer.
With managers back of the beach and players back in pre-season training, behind-the-scenes negotiations have really ramped up. But often it is actions - including pulling out a huge unseemly wad of oil-dollars - that speak louder than words.
In the case of Robert Lewandowski, the player is such a big power that he is likely to get what he wants eventually. Especially if he keeps turning up for work late.
Elsewhere, Mattijs De Ligt could be able to join the club the Polish striker is eager to leave. But in order to do so, he'll need to take a pay cut.
The latest transfer rumours from our Europe are below...
Ronaldo offered £250m
CNN Portugal reports that Saudi Arabian money could be used to blow apart the current impasse between Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United and make the 37-year-old one of the richest men in sport.
An unnamed club in the gulf state accused of trying to “sportswash” its poor human rights reputation by involving itself in massive global sporting events has offered Ronaldo himself £250m to play for just two years.
Manchester United are to be paid a further £30m - money that would be hard to ignore for such a divisive player as they look to enter a new era.
And of course there is £20m along the way to be paid to “intermediaries”.
The deal would make him the highest-paid footballer on the planet, earning more than Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi combined.
De Ligt pay cut
Juventus defender Mattijs De Ligt looks closer to a move to Bayern Munich by offering to take a pay cut to grease the wheels.
Chelsea had been hoping to get the Serie A club to twist De Ligt’s arm by offering significantly more than the Germans could afford.
But Bild reports that De Ligt would be prepared to take a cut in his current wages to give Bayern more negotiating power, having set upon the Bundesliga as the place to develop his career.
Lewandowski demonstrating player power?
With all this “player power” sweeping round Europe, Bild are also speculating that Robert Lewandowski is getting in on the act.
The record-breaking Poland international has been linked with Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG.
So the German newspaper are taking much delight in the fact that he has turned up late for training at Bayern Munich for the second day in the row.
“Is das eine Protest-Aktion?” they ask in transfer-saga language that needs no translation.
Dembele signs till 2024
Marca, meanwhile, join L’Equipe in leading on news of the end of another summer-long saga after Ousmane Dembele committed his future to Barcelona for another two years.
The France international’s contract expired on June 30 and his refusal to commit in January led to an attempt by Barca to take the last possible chance to cash in on him.
Dembele refused to leave though, and his improved performances in the second half of the season has ended with this remarkable turn-around.
It ends speculation linking him with PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle.
