The AFCON Stars Who Could Now Get a Big Move

A name that many football fans will recognise, Vincent Aboubakar, has already had an interesting career that has seen him turn out for clubs such as FC Porto and Besiktas.

The Cameroon captain has led by example so far for the Indomitable Lions, spearheading his side into the quarterfinals of the African Cup Of Nations. Aboubakar has notched up an outstanding six goals and one assist in just the four games he has played in the tournament.

The striker signed for Al-Nassr Riad in the Saudi Pro League last July. Despite seemingly being around for what feels like an age, the striker is still just 30 years of age and has proved for his national side that he still has some left in the tank.

Possible clubs: Serie A

Ibrahim Sangare was scouted by many as one to watch in this year’s AFCON tournament after impressing in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven. The defensive midfielder has established those claims further with a good showing in Africa’s national tournament and is now on the radar of some of the heavyweights.

The Ivory Coast star has bossed the midfield in some key games, such as against Algeria, even popping up with a goal against the defending champions.

There was already a lot of speculation about the 22-year-old’s future, which can only escalate as the likes of Manchester United, Everton and more of Europe’s big boys' circle around him.

Possible clubs: top end of the Premier League

Gambia have stunned a lot of people, reaching the quarterfinals in their debut tournament. The Scorpions are the lowest-ranked side at AFCON, coming in as 150th in the world.

The small west African country have upset many big teams in the competition, pulling off wins against the likes of Guinea as well as 2004 winners Tunisia and at the heart of everything they have achieved has been young forward Musa Barrow.

Barrow, who plays his football for Bologna in Italy’s Serie A, has scored two goals in Gambia’s journey so far as well as providing two assists in their four games. The 23-year-old will be attracting interest with his captivating performances that have seen his national side go further than expected.

Possible clubs: top end of the Serie A

Born in Dublin, Roberto Lopes plays his club football for Shamrock Rovers in Ireland’s top division. With his father being born in Cape Verde, it has seen him pledge allegiance for them, which has allowed him to put in some impressive performances at AFCON so far.

The 29-year-old has been rumoured with a move to top European clubs after some strong performances in the competition. The centre-back has helped Cape Verde put in a valiant performance to reach the round of 16, where they were knocked out by one of the favourites, Senegal.

Pico picked up the Man Of The Match award for his key role in the 1-1 against another of the favourites, Cameroon, last Monday – as well as being in the heart of the defence that kept a clean sheet against Ethiopia in their opening group game. It has put Lopes on the radar which could tempt some big clubs to lure him away from Ireland.

Possible clubs: bottom end of the Premier League or the Championship

Nantes’ Moses Simon has been the standout performer for Nigeria at the AFCON. The winger has a goal and an assist to his name in the competition and caused problems for many defenders that the Super Eagles faced, before their exit in the RO16.

Simon’s pace and dribbling ability has seen him linked with various clubs, ranking among the highest in the competition for the number of dribbles completed in the tournament. He was the integral cog for Nigeria and, although they couldn’t go further, was instrumental in their attacking wing-play.

It was rumoured that some of the big Premier League clubs were offered the chance to sign the Ligue 1 star for a cut-price in recent transfer windows, but ultimately opted not to. Now the 26-year-old will have more interest after a solid display at AFCON.

Possible clubs: somewhere in Ligue 1