I still think there will be opportunities to sign quality and value as there are a number of top level and elite clubs that need to sell in a BIG way.
Barca need to raise about 700m to service their short term debt, let alone the La Liga wage cap as % of revenue which IIRC they are 70% above due to COVID.
RM have the same levels of debt but not as short term loans, and the same issues re wages.
Inter also need to sell to either raise 60m re debt servicing or to reduce wages = I forget which.
However the biggest financial issue is with the entire Ligue 1 which is in disarray with the collapse of their new TV deal, which will see clubs lose about 400m on projected revenues = shades of the SPFL TV deal collapse and potential outcomes. I was watching Ornstein & Co and they think it is at the point where actual clubs will/need to be sold, not just their players.
This does not mean to say that all prices will fall, but that many players (not just French) will be available for sale at the new market value rather than being retained by their clubs.
It seems most of the deals being considered are players + cash or loans with an option/obligation to buy, & those who can make a cash offer for anything remotely like current market vale (post COVID), are going to potentially either take the cream and/or dine like kings subject to their requirements.
I also find it interesting/telling that we have seen 3 of the current title winning managers move from those clubs over finances and player sales for this season.
