Whether they are established names, future stars or summer transfer targets, there are a host of intriguing players in action at the Games in Japan

While mention of the Olympics might not spark up images of great football, the men's tournament at the Games still offers those who compete for the rare opportunity to take home a gold medal.

Ahead of Tokyo 2020, the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Mohamed Salah and Sergio Ramos were all rumoured to be interested in taking part in a bid to claim one of the greatest sporting prizes of them all.

In the end, none of that fabled trio will be in action over the next fortnight, but that does not mean there are not plenty of players who are worth keeping an eye on, be they established stars, up-and-coming wonderkids or potential transfer targets for some of the world's biggest clubs…

Getty ImagesThiago Almada (Argentina)

Given the hype that has surrounded Almada in recent years, it is quite surprising that the attacking midfielder still finds himself at Velez Sarsfield rather than in one of Europe's top five leagues.

Manchester City and Manchester United are among a host of clubs to have been linked with the 20-year-old, who twice appeared on Goal's NXGN list of the top teenage footballers in the world.

Expect him to use the Olympics as a potential shop window to show himself off to potential suitors ahead of the transfer window closing at the end of August.

AdvertisementGettyDani Alves (Brazil)

Despite having turned 38 in May, Dani Alves still harbours hopes of representing Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, and as such is using the Olympics, in part, to show Selecao boss Tite that he is worth a place in his squad for Qatar.

Now playing his club football for Sao Paulo FC, the veteran full-back continues to showcase his undoubted quality on a weekly basis domestically, and, though he might not be the same electric presence on the right-hand side as he was at Barcelona, he can still play a key role in Brazil defending the gold medal they won on home soil back in 2016.

Getty ImagesMarco Asensio (Spain)

If you had asked a Spanish football fan which tournament Marco Asensio would be playing in this summer a few years ago, they undoubtedly would have said Euro 2020, such was the winger's potential and performance level at Real Madrid.

Injuries and a subsequent drop in form, however, mean he now finds himself needing to prove himself in Tokyo if he is to fight his way back into Luis Enrique's exciting, young, attacking team.

At 25, time is starting to run out for Asensio to make a return on the promise he showed as a youngster, and there is no better place to start than at the biggest festival of sport in the world. 

Getty ImagesDani Ceballos (Spain)

Another Real Madrid player looking to reignite their career somewhat is Ceballos, who, after two up-and-down seasons on loan at Arsenal, is now preparing himself for a new challenge.

Unlike Asensio, his future almost certainly lies away from Santiago Bernabeu, and as such the Olympics offers the 24-year-old midfielder an opportunity to show any interested clubs that he is still the same player who was named in back-to-back Teams of the Tournament at the 2017 and 2019 Under-21 European Championships.