Euro 2016: Five of the stars that could earn big moves this summer

A continental tournament like the European Championship gives clubs and fans alike the chance to watch lesser-known players across Europe for a month, with one of them likely to embarrass England at some stage of the tournament.

The expansion of the tournament from 16 to 24 teams for Euro 2016 widened the level of scouting possible, with many unknown quantities coming up against world-class talents from across the continent.

Several players have already earned moves during the tournament, such as Breel Embolo, Michy Batshuayi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but with more than a month and a half of the window to go, more movement based on Euro 2016 performances can be expected.

Etrit Berisha – Lazio & Albania

The 27-year-old goalkeeper began Euro 2016 in the worst possible way, gifting Switzerland an early lead in their opening game by coming out for a punch and ending up in no man’s land.

However, he recovered from the early blunder to keep Albania, debutants at the European Championships, in the game for the remaining 85 minutes. Berisha, second choice at Lazio behind Federico Marchetti, saved well from Haris Seferovic and Xherdan Shaqiri while coming off his line to sweep effectively behind a well organised, but limited, defence.

Against France, Berisha was kept busy and played a key role in frustrating France by commanding his box well again. However, despite France’s - and Olivier Giroud’s - inability to finish on the night, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 90^th minute and ran out 2-0 winners.

The goalkeeper’s saves against Romania in the final game were pivotal to the country’s historic 1-0 win. An early save from Bogdan Stancu’s volley and further sweeping were rewarded by a clean sheet but Albania were to bow out, finishing 3^rd in Group A. Having played 20 games for Lazio last term, in cup competitions and as cover for Marchetti, Berisha could be on the list for clubs across Europe to take the number one jersey.

Michael McGovern – Free Agent & Northern Ireland

Tim Howard is remembered by many football fans for his heroics in the 2014 World Cup game vs. Belgium in Salvador where he made 15 saves but still managed to end up on the losing side.

Similarly, Michael McGovern will be remembered for his heroics in goal for Northern Ireland vs. Germany at the Parc des Princes in the group stage of Euro 2016. Currently, a free agent after being released by Hamilton Academical at the end of the 2015/16 season, McGovern has put himself in the shop window for a move.

Eventually beaten by Mario Gomez’s goal in the 29^th minute, McGovern represented a brick wall for the opening 25 minutes and on several occasions after the world champions took the lead. A save from Thomas Müller’s effort with a delicate area of his body was followed by heroics preventing Mesut Özil, Mario Götze twice, Sami Khedira and Mario Gomez.

In particular, the second effort from Götze forced McGovern to use a strong right hand to keep the ball out after the diminutive Bayern Munich playmaker had ‘given him the eyes’ and placed the ball towards the near post.

In the opening game vs. Poland, the free agent saved well from Arkadiusz Milik in both halves and Bartosz Kapustka in the first half. Whilst he could have done better for Milik’s eventual goal, his sight was blocked by two defenders aiming to get a last ditch block in.

His heroics led Michael O’Neill’s side into the Last 16 where the ‘keeper was eventually beaten by a Gareth McAuley own goal from an inch perfect Gareth Bale cross. With Premier League sides spending big money on players this summer, the purchase of McGovern would represent sensible business and his exploits in France show he’s capable of performing on the big stage.

Bartosz Kapustka – Cracovia & Poland

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder had been spoken about highly by those who had watched Poland in qualifying but was not a well-known figure before the tournament.

However, his tenacity and creativity in midfield allowed Poland to progress to the quarter final of the tournament before losing to Portugal on penalties. Currently plying his trade at the oldest team in Polish football, KS Cracovia, in front of only 15,000 spectators, he was lauded by pundits, commentators and fans throughout the tournament; creating two key chances in two starts and two brief substitute appearances.

The 19-year-old also had a pass accuracy of 80% throughout the tournament and showed his ability to track back from the left wing making seven blocks, interceptions or clearances in the three group stage games. He has since attracted interest from Southampton, Juventus, Dortmund and Premier League Champions, Leicester City.

His trickery, vision, height and finishing ability make him a well-rounded attacking midfielder but his discipline needs improving, as he picked up three yellow cards in his four appearances. However, his potential to reach to very top is undoubted with Gary Lineker claiming Kapustka has the ability to go as far as Robert Lewandowski in the football world.

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson – Nantes & Iceland

Iceland and Wales will have to do battle for the title of ‘biggest Euro 2016 fairytale’ – with both small nations overachieving. Wales topped their group and got to the semi final whilst Iceland finished second and got to the quarter final, but had a tougher route to the last eight.

And Kolbeinn Sighorsson, currently of Nantes in Ligue 1, was pivotal to their adventure. His everlasting memory from the tournament will be scoring the winner versus England in the Last 16, although he can thank Eric Dier, Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill and Joe Hart for the gift – but his link up play, intelligent runs and pace were crucial to Iceland’s counter attacking setup and allowed the creativity of Gylfi Sigurdsson to be utilised to its full extent.

Whilst the former AZ Alkmaar and Ajax man was unable to fully show his incredible finishing ability like he has for all of his clubs, scouts will have been impressed by his ability to adapt to Iceland’s differing style. With Chelsea paying £33m for Batshuayi and Crystal Palace willing to pay £30m for Christian Benteke, Premier League clubs may be smarter looking at the likes of Sigthorsson who would, in this market, be available for no more than £20m and is still only 26 years old.

Hal Robson-Kanu – Free agent & Wales

That touch, that turn, that finish – that goal. Hal Robson-Kanu may never come close to repeating his exploits versus Belgium but will go down in Welsh and European Championship history for those few seconds of genius.

Having recently been released by Reading in the Championship, the striker came into the tournament with a point to prove – and prove it he did. His tournament began on the bench but he came on to great effect, first crossing for Aaron Ramsey after shrugging off his defender – but the Arsenal man headed over.

The striker’s moment arrived when Ramsey’s mis-control found Robson-Kanu inside the area and he finished at the near post via a slight deflection to seal the three points. His hard work and endeavour earned him a start versus England but Wales’ defensive setup left him isolated up top and he was hauled off for Jonny Williams.

But his moment was to come in the quarter final against Belgium with the score at 1-1. Bale found Ramsey on the right wing, who crossed for Robson-Kanu. The striker took the ball down with his back to goal, performed an exquisite ‘Cruyff turn’ to lose Marouane Fellaini and Thomas Meuiner before finishing well past Thibaut Courtois to all but send Wales through.

In the semi-final against Portugal he struggled to get into the game at times but seemed more positive, more involved and wanted the ball more – showing what confidence can do for a player. Whilst his exploits for Reading were nothing special and they were right to release him, the money in the Premier League in the current window may lead to a club panicking and bringing in Wales’ newest hero – with links already emerging of interest from Hull, Leicester, Everton, Genoa and Galatasaray.

If ever there was such thing as a life changing moment, Robson-Kanu may just have experienced it.

With the money currently available to Premier League teams via the new TV deal and the improvements in scouting thanks to technology, many clubs will already have been aware of the lesser-known players – but the Euros will have enhanced their ability to watch players on the big stage.

Players such as Ricardo Rodriguez, Dimitri Payet, Elseid Hysaj, Shane Long, N’Golo Kanté, Joe Allen, Lorenzo Insigne and Milik may all have used the tournament as a ‘shop window’ for summer moves – and will all also have a queue of clubs interested in their signature.