While most of his France team-mates have been attracting big-money moves, Nabil Fekir has been overlooked. Photograph: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images

Transfer window: six underrated players who should be attracting more interest

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Transfer fees have gone crazy this summer but players such as Malcom, Idrissa Gueye, Ricardo Pereira and Nabil Fekir could have been good value signings

By Martin Laurence for WhoScored?, part of the Guardian Sport Network

There are always a few players who dominate the conversation during any transfer window. Neymar, Naby Keïta, Kylian Mbappé and Alexis Sánchez have attracted a lot of the hysteria this summer, leaving other talented players to fly under the radar for one reason or another. Here are six players who have been mystifyingly overlooked.

Malcom, Bordeaux

Brazilian winger Malcom understandably took some time to adjust to European football when he left Corinthians for Bordeaux in 2015, but he has followed a promising 2016-17 campaign with a scintillating start to the current season. In 33 league starts last season, Malcom scored seven goals and laid on four assists – and he is already well on course to smash those figures this time around.

The 20-year-old has made four appearances so far this season, laying on three assists and scoring twice. He’s third in Ligue 1 for key passes (13), having also averaged an impressive 2.8 dribbles per game. He has been suggested as a potential replacement for Ousmane Dembélé at Borussia Dortmund but he would also be an interesting option for Tottenham, who could use some options on the right wing in particular.

Idrissa Gueye, Everton

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Perhaps the closest alternative to N’Golo Kanté in the Premier League, Idrissa Gueye has won over Everton fans with his consistent performances in midfield. The Senegal international showed glimpses of his quality at Aston Villa but has flourished at Goodison with competent players around him and is now perhaps the Toffees’ most valuable asset following the sale of Romelu Lukaku.

Surprise, surprise, Kanté already ranks first for tackles (13) in the Premier League this season but he is followed closely by Gueye (11); those figures were actually reversed last season, with the Everton man topping the pile with 4.1 tackles per game. His ability to not only break up play but pick the right pass would be a godsend for an Arsenal side that has already shown its frailty in the middle of the park. It would take a big offer to prise him from Everton but the lack of bids for the 27-year-old this summer has been surprising.

Leon Goretzka, Schalke

Leon Goretzka has long been touted with a move to Bayern Munich in the future but he has denied a deal is in place on numerous occasions. The 22-year-old shone for Germany during the Confederations Cup earlier in the summer and, given that his contract is winding down this season, it’s surprising a top club hasn’t tested Schalke’s resolve thus far.

The youngster has the tools to become one of the finest all-round midfielders on the continent. He has a way of using his rangy frame to burst upfield when possible while not relinquishing his defensive responsibilities. The intelligence of his movement really caught the eye in Russia, while his ability to break up play in dangerous positions is a big asset. Ilkay Gundogan’s ongoing injury woes have left Manchester City a little light by way of midfielders who can influence the game at both ends of the pitch. Pep Guardiola’s tactic of packing his his team with forward-thinking players could leave them exposed against strong opposition; Goretzka would be a good option to bring them more balance.

Nabil Fekir, Lyon

He has had his injury problems in recent years but Nabil Fekir has returned to fitness and form in fine fashion this season, earning a recall for the France squad that does not contain Anthony Martial, Dimitri Payet or Ousmane Dembéle. The Lyon captain, who is still just 24, was credited with getting the best out of Alexandre Lacazette when he switched to a centre-forward role and, while he’s best suited to a role in behind the striker, his versatility and creativity in the final third would make him an astute acquisition for most of the top clubs in Europe.

Returning after a lengthy lay-off, Fekir scored nine goals in 28 league starts last season and has already scored three this month in Ligue 1, including an outrageous strike against Bordeaux that has to be seen to be believed. With 21 dribbles from just four appearances this season, his quality in attack is unquestionable. Having sold off so many of their star players for huge fees this summer, Monaco could with a player of Fekir’s calibre to stand up to Paris Saint-Germain.

Ricardo Pereira, Porto

Another player who has drawn some interest across Europe this summer without being the subject of concrete offers, Ricardo Pereira has returned to Porto following a hugely productive two-year stint with Nice. The Portugal international displayed exceptional versatility in Ligue 1; he arrived as a winger, replaced Jordan Amavi at left-back, then switched to a more familiar right-sided role and impressed at wing-back.

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The 23-year-old is now the starting right-back for the Primeira Liga side but he could be prised away with a suitable offer. He’s at his best going forwards, weighing in with eight assists at Nice but he also defends manfully. He would be an ideal signing for a tactically flexible side. Juventus are yet to sign a replacement for Dani Alves following his departure to Paris Saint-Germain; they should firm up an apparent liking for Pereira before the window closes.

Kerem Demirbay, Hoffenheim

Bayern Munich continue to stockpile midfield talent, so their lack of interest in the 24-year-old Germany midfielder Kerem Demirbay is surprising. His displays in his breakthrough season at Hoffenheim earned him a call-up to the national side for the Confederations Cup earlier this summer and he will hope to return to Russia for the World Cup next year.

His all-action performances in the middle of the park were key to Hoffenheim’s fourth-place finish last season, though defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League might tempt the box-to-box midfielder to move elsewhere. He scored six goals and laid on eight assists last season, averaging an impressive 2.1 key passes and 2.1 dribbles per game. His ability to implement a pressing tactic would make him a good fit for Borussia Dortmund.