It’s the first year since the Covid-19 pandemic that England have not been involved in a major tournament.
With rather straightforward Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Malta and North Macedonia out of the way, the transfer market is now taking over.
And Three Lions members are front and centre, coming with it a special premium.
Yet, it is no surprise to Gareth Southgate’s up-and-coming squad personnel on the move this summer, such is the demand for top homegrown players in the Premier League.
Chelsea ins and outs
Of moved mooted and completed so far, Mason Mount looks on his way to Manchester United in a deal that could be worth £60million with add-ons.
New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, has decided to take his squad in a new direction, with Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz also sold to ‘Big Six’ rivals.
However, it is a high-risk policy.
Less of an issue sees West Ham set to cash in more than £100million for skipper Declan Rice.
Given the inevitability of the UEFA Conference League winning captain’s exit this summer, the Hammers have nevertheless, done well to get such a fee from Arsenal.
Manchester City, meanwhile, after snaring Kovacic, deemed a bidding war wasn’t worth their while, despite losing Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona.
Best deals
Tottenham Hotspur’s £40million deal for James Maddison, in context, looks good value.
The playmaker, relegated with Leicester City, notched 10 goals and nine assists in the league last season alone.
At 26, on the cusp of his peak years and with England caps starting to flow, Maddison should be a smart acquisition for Ange Postecoglou.
What the Australian steward will have to contend with however, is the issue of a certain Harry Kane.
Following Bayern Munich testing the waters at £60milion, Daniel Levy was always set to baulk at such a relatively paltry sum – despite his dwindling contract length.
Whether Kane joins the glut of English stars on the move this summer though, remains an unknown – certainly, Manchester United appear to have pulled away in their pursuit of the soon-to-be 30-year-old.
Elsewhere, market value once more appears to sit with non-English talent.
Aston Villa, a mere 12 months on from breaking their Club transfer record for Diego Carlos, appear to be ‘winning’ the summer window so far.
Pursuing the free transfer of Youri Tielemans, Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres now is poised for a reunion with Unai Emery.
A future stalwart for the Spanish National side, £35million could become a snip for a genuine star defender.
Next transfer odds
So who will be next on the move this summer?
Will Kane follow Mount, Maddison and Rice in sealing a career-defining transfer?
More likely, Kalvin Phillips may make the move to West Ham as Rice’s replacement.
The City midfielder is 7/2 to swap City for the London Stadium.
As the exodus from the King Power looks set to continue meanwhile, Harvey Barnes is 10/11 with some bookmakers to join West Ham too.
Conor Gallagher is 7/4 to link up with Brighton and become the next player out of Stamford Bridge this summer.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is also likely to be part of further Chelsea exits, 7/2 to seal a switch to Nottingham Forest or 3/2 to join any Saudi Pro League club.
Finally, could Jordan Pickford decide the time is right to leave Everton?
Some bookmakers have him at 7/4 to become a Manchester United player.
