Less than five weeks after Spain lifted the World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium, the confetti has barely settled — but football's stars are already back in action and, for many, in new colours. The 2026 World Cup may have crowned new heroes, but the transfer market has been swift to redistribute them across Europe's elite.

Rodri Completes Emotional Barcelona Homecoming

After captaining Spain to World Cup glory and being named player of the tournament, Rodri has departed Manchester City for a new challenge in his homeland. The 30-year-old, who had only one year remaining on his Etihad contract, had told reporters as far back as March that he wished to return to La Liga, having left Atletico Madrid for Manchester in 2019.

While Real Madrid appeared the likely destination, it was Clasico rivals Barcelona who swooped in. On August 6, news broke that Barcelona were exploring a deal and that Rodri's preference was a move to the Camp Nou. The transfer, worth up to €76.5million (£65.5m; $89.4m), was completed shortly after, reuniting the midfielder with several national team-mates from the squad he led to glory in the United States. He was unveiled to fans before Barcelona's friendly against Al Ahly on Wednesday.

Elliot Anderson: Manchester City's Record British Signing

At this point in 2025, Elliot Anderson was on the cusp of his second season as a regular Premier League starter and had yet to make his senior England debut. He begins this campaign after an instrumental role in England's best World Cup finish since 1966 — and as Manchester City's marquee summer signing.

Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from boyhood club Newcastle United in 2024 and built a reputation as one of the Premier League's best central midfielders. Manchester City acted aggressively to secure his services, reaching an agreement for £116m at the start of the World Cup — a record fee for a British player at the time. He will be tasked with helping replace Rodri, the long-time cornerstone of Pep Guardiola's team, and restoring City to the Premier League summit.

Ferran Torres: World Cup Hero Swaps Barcelona for PSG

Ferran Torres may not have been Spain's first-choice striker at the World Cup, but he delivered the decisive blow after 106 minutes of domination against Argentina in the final without a breakthrough. He returned to Spain a World Cup hero — and left Barcelona less than a month later in a €50m move to PSG.

The Athletic had reported in July that Barcelona were open to selling Torres, as extending his contract would have obligated them to make a further payment to his former club, Manchester City. With Milan signing Goncalo Ramos, the impact-substitute role at PSG is open for Torres — and he has set the bar high by performing it on the biggest stage.

Morgan Rogers Heads to Chelsea in Club-Record Deal

Morgan Rogers only started one of England's first six World Cup games before being named in the XI for the semi-final against Argentina, where he made his mark with a perfect cross for Anthony Gordon to tap home. Days after England's exit, the forward took the widely anticipated step of leaving Aston Villa — but not for the club most expected.

Instead of Premier League champions Arsenal, Rogers joined London rivals Chelsea for a club-record £117m as the marquee signing of a summer rebuild under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Johan Manzambi Becomes Aston Villa's Record Signing

Twenty-year-old Johan Manzambi was cruelly ruled out of Switzerland's last two World Cup matches with a knee injury, but his four appearances were enough to spark a tug-of-war between Premier League clubs. Manzambi scored a late double from the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina before scoring and assisting as Switzerland beat hosts Canada to top Group B.

Newcastle and Aston Villa had been tracking the Freiburg prospect since before the World Cup. Newcastle struck a club-to-club agreement, but the player opted to join Villa, becoming their new club-record signing — a crucial addition after the departure of key players such as Rogers.

Emiliano Martinez: Still at Villa, Future Uncertain

It has been more than a year since Emiliano Martinez appeared to bid a tearful farewell to Aston Villa supporters. Since then, he has qualified for the Champions League, won the Europa League, and reached another World Cup final with Argentina — starting all eight matches this summer.

The Athletic reported on August 15 that Martinez was in talks to leave the club, with Juventus emerging as a suitor. However, the move did not proceed, with Juventus instead signing Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario on loan. Villa have signed Zion Suzuki from Parma as their likely first-choice goalkeeper, leaving Martinez's future in question. The club are actively looking to help him find another move.