The Copa America 2024 approaches its conclusion with reigning world champions Argentina and Colombia, who are on a 28-match unbeaten streak, clashing in a blockbuster final on Sunday (1am on Monday in the UK).
The tournament has largely progressed along expected lines, though Brazil and the United States were underperformers. Panama, Uruguay and Canada impressed, while Argentina sailed through, even without Lionel Messi at his vintage best.
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As is always the case at tournaments, players who impress for their nations are often courted by clubs. Many will ultimately secure transfers, sometimes for a lot of money. Don’t be surprised if this happens again.
Here are nine players The Athletic believes could be on the move after impressing at the Copa and previously for their clubs. In line with how the tournament has gone, it is (quite) defender-heavy.
Johan Vasquez (Mexico), centre-back – Genoa
Mexico failed to progress out of Group C despite managing the same points as second-placed Ecuador. Their issues were in attack as they scored just once, but their defence, led by the 25-year-old Vasquez, impressed.
Vasquez was a dominant presence in Mexico’s back line, which conceded just one goal, while his passing was brave. He was also an adept carrier of the ball, with his 1.0 progressive carries per 90 minutes ranking him in the top 26 per cent of central defenders in the tournament.
Before the Copa, Vasquez anchored an excellent Genoa defence that ended their first season back in Serie A in 11th place with only 45 goals conceded — the seventh-best in the league. He played 37 league games, missing just one game through a suspension.
While he is contracted to Genoa until 2027, Vasquez’s displays could see him attract some interest this summer.
Mathias Olivera (Uruguay), left-back/centre-back – Napoli
Olivera started Uruguay’s first five matches at the tournament and completed three. He played both as a left centre-back and left-back for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
Olivera’s ability to play risky passes with precision (87 per cent long pass accuracy in those games) made sure he stood out. His 6.5 passes into the final third per 90 was the highest figure among centre-backs in the tournament, while his 1.3 progressive carries per 90 ranked him in the top 13 per cent.
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He was also excellent defensively, winning 75 per cent of his tackles and 92 per cent of his aerial duels, while averaging 1.6 interceptions and 6.0 recoveries (best in the tournament among centre-backs) per 90.
Olivera missed 11 Serie A matches for Napoli last season due to knee and adductor injuries but looks back to full fitness. He is under contract until 2027 but the 26-year-old’s versatility and top-flight experience could make him an interesting prospect for several clubs.
Alistair Johnston (Canada), right-back – Celtic
Canada enjoyed a superb Copa America campaign, making it to the semi-finals before falling to Argentina. Several players impressed for Jesse Marsch’s team and chief among them was Johnston.
Before Saturday’s third-place play-off, the Celtic right-back played every minute and averaged 4.1 tackles per 90, with a decent 64 per cent success rate. Johnston particularly stood out in Canada’s quarter-final win over Venezuela (1-1 after 90 minutes, 4-3 on penalties), locking down Yeferson Soteldo, who ended the tournament with more carries into the penalty area (1.9) and into the final third (2.9) per 90 than any other winger.
The sequence below is a fitting example of how Johnston used his pace and physicality to recover and tackle Soteldo after initially losing him from a throw-in.
Before the Copa, Johnston played a key role in Celtic’s Scottish Premiership win, featuring in 32 league games and recording a goal and five assists. At 25, the Canadian will be expected to get even better and his current contract expires in December 2027.
Carlos Cuesta (Colombia), centre-back – Genk
Colombia’s attack has understandably received plenty of praise throughout the tournament, but their defence has been equally impressive, with Cuesta standing out. The Genk defender notably sat out their opening game against Paraguay but was brought in against Costa Rica after Jhon Lucumi’s injury.
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Cuesta has since played every minute for Nestor Lorenzo’s team. Cuesta prefers to stay deep (60 per cent of his tackles per 90 have been in Colombia’s defensive third) and his passing has unlocked opportunities for his side.
Cuesta’s 96 per cent overall passing accuracy and 90 per cent long pass accuracy were the highest among centre-backs across the tournament. He was also dominant in the air, winning 75 per cent of his 1.5 aerial duels per 90.
The 25-year-old played 32 Jupiler Pro League games for Genk last season, scoring once, as they finished fifth. Cuesta has been with the Belgian club since 2019 and could be of interest to a number of sides after his impressive outings in the Copa.
Jon Aramburu (Venezuela), right-back – Real Sociedad
Aramburu is one of the biggest talents to emerge out of this Copa America, even though he began the tournament on the bench. The Real Sociedad defender was brought into the team for Venezuela’s second Group B match against Mexico and impressed as they won 1-0. He then helped his nation keep another clean sheet, while also grabbing an assist, in a 3-0 win over Jamaica in their final group-stage game.
The fact head coach Fernando Batista replaced him in the 81st minute of that match to rest him for their quarter-final against Canada spoke volumes of how he had quickly become a key part of the team.
Aramburu isn’t the most threatening going forward, but his five passes into the final third still ranked him in the top nine per cent of full-backs at this year’s Copa. Where he really impressed, however, was in defence.
Aramburu’s 8.1 tackles and 5.6 tackles won (69 per cent success rate) per 90 were comfortably the highest among full-backs at the tournament. The best example of his tackling ability came in Venezuela’s win over Mexico, where his agility and well-timed tackle with less than 30 seconds to go won his team a goal kick and effectively sealed the game.
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Aramburu’s celebration once the goal kick was awarded reflected how much the 21-year-old enjoys defending and more importantly, winning.
Aramburu also enjoyed an 80 per cent success rate while tackling dribblers, while his 2.5 blocks per 90 placed him in the top five per cent of full-backs as well.
This was a coming-of-age tournament. Aramburu only transitioned into La Real’s senior team last season. He featured in 11 of their final 18 La Liga matches, including all of the last five. Real Sociedad will likely be keen to hold onto Aramburu but may well receive interest from Europe following his displays in the U.S..
Nicolas Tagliafico (Argentina), left-back – Lyon
Tagliafico may be a less exciting name on this list, but his experience is undeniable. The Argentinian has also been a key part of his nation’s starting XI at the Copa in their last four matches, having come off the bench in their opener against Canada.
At 31, Tagliafico is unlikely to have another big move left in him after several successful years at Ajax but has shown he still has something to offer.
His 89 per cent pass accuracy is the highest among full-backs in the tournament, though only four per cent of his 52.2 pass attempts per 90 have been progressive. In this Argentina team, he has often been given license to make his way forward, with his 0.8 tackles in the attacking third and 31.5 total carries ranking him in the top 12 per cent among full-backs.
Before the Copa, Tagliafico regularly featured for Lyon last season, recording three goals and two assists in 25 Ligue 1 games. His deal at Lyon expires next summer, which could see him attract some interest.
Yaser Asprilla (Colombia), right-winger/attacking midfielder – Watford
Asprilla’s presence on this list may surprise some given he only played around 20 minutes in Colombia’s second group game against Costa Rica and didn’t feature in the tournament otherwise. However, the 20-year-old is an incredible talent who has attracted plenty of interest, with The Athletic reporting that Watford were open to selling him if the right bid and opportunity for the player arrived, though they ideally want to build around him.
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Asprilla set the Championship alight last season, recording six goals and seven assists while playing in 44 of their 46 league games. He featured on both wings, and in central and attacking midfield, displaying incredible versatility.
Asprilla has a hammer of a left foot and received praise for scoring some picturesque goals, but his creativity was equally impressive. The Colombian’s 3.4 shot-creating actions through live-ball passes per 90 ranked him in the top three per cent of wingers in the Championship last season. Similarly, he ranked in the top 10 per cent for key passes (2.5), passes into the final third (3.6) and passes into the penalty area (2.2) per 90.
Given his immense talent, it won’t be surprising to see Asprilla in a different jersey next season.
Ramon Sosa (Paraguay), left-winger – Talleres
Paraguay exited the Copa America in the group stages for the second time in four years, losing all of their matches in Group D. They conceded eight goals and scored just three, with Sosa directly involved in two despite starting just once and playing only 133 regulation minutes across three matches.
The 24-year-old first assisted Julio Enciso in their 2-1 defeat to Colombia before kickstarting and ending the move below to score in a loss by the same margin to Costa Rica.
Sosa impressed outside of those contributions as well with his off-the-ball movement and dribbling and will be one to watch within the Paraguay setup for the future.
On the club side of things, he began the ongoing South American club season extremely well, recording three goals and two assists in nine matches across the Liga Argentina and Copa Libertadores.
Sosa only joined Talleres in January last year but could garner interest after impressing in his limited minutes on the pitch at the Copa.
Moise Bombito (Canada), centre-back – Colorado Rapids
Bombito, like Johnston, was ever-present for Canada up to and including their semi-final, playing every minute. The 6ft 2in (190 cm) centre-back has previously drawn praise for his pace and defensive acumen, both of which were on display here.
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In Canada’s first five matches, Bombito recorded a 100 per cent success rate while tackling dribblers, and his 5.8 clearances and 4.9 recoveries ranked him in the top 16 and 13 per cent respectively among centre-backs. He was also a solid passer, completing 88 per cent of his 43.7 attempts per 90.
Bombito notably started 16 of the Rapids’ 17 MLS matches before the Copa America, chipping in with two goals.
His 5.2 recoveries per 90 in the league is well over the centre-back average of 4.1, while his on-the-ball ability (4.4 passes into the final third) was more evident as well.
A few days into the tournament, The Athletic reported that Lyon had submitted an initial $4million (£3.08m) bid to the Rapids for Bombito, which Colorado rejected. However, the two teams continued to engage in talks, with several other clubs interested in Bombito and even traveling to the U.S. to watch him play. A summer move may be on the cards.
(Top photos: Getty Images)
