5 ways in which 2018 FIFA World Cup is influencing this summer transfer window

#5 Scouts dispatched and ready

Divock Origi was heavily scouted during 2014 World Cup

At any point of time, clubs are just as concerned with addressing their long term needs as with their short term needs. While you clamour for your favourite team to sign the mercurial winger they are desperately short of, they might already be planning for life without their current star midfielder. Scouts around the world make their name and money on such finds. It is precisely why Everton’s recruitment of Steve Walsh from Leicester made as many headlines as any major player transfer.

With an all star global talent show at the ready, clubs might choose to hold off addressing their long term concerns for just a while longer. Rather than assembling an expensive scouting team to be dispatched to over 150 countries, the World Cup distils these precocious talents down to the best of the best.

Expect several gems to be unearthed – and several mooted needs in 2017 to be held off and realized later in 2018.