The transfer market is picking up speed: after the Giro d'Italia, there are increasing signs of big-name team changes. Felix Gall, Jai Hindley and Arnaud De Lie are among the hottest names and Lidl-Trek and Tudor could be the big winners in the cycling transfer game.
The rumour mill in the transfer poker is slowly picking up speed. The Giro d'Italia has only just finished, the Tour de France is still to come, but behind the scenes the talks have long been in full swing. Some of the peloton's most exciting names are on the verge of possible team changes and the clues are growing stronger. Five riders stand out in particular as possible cycling transfers.
1 Felix Gall - about to jump to Lidl-Trek?
The Austrian climbing star from Decathlon CMA CGM is one of the most sought-after riders on the market, not least thanks to his second place at the Giro d'Italia this year. According to various media reports, Gall has been linked with a move to Lidl-Trek. The US team is investing heavily in new riders and seems to see Gall as the ideal building block for its Tour ambitions. The rumours are further fuelled by the fact that his compatriot and helper Gregor Mühlberger is also being traded in the package. What's more, with Paul Seixas, his current team has arguably the most talented tour rider, so the Tour de France could be planned without Gall in the future.
2nd Lennert Van Eetvelt - Deal probably in the bag
It has long been clear that the Belgian is about to leave Lotto-Intermarché. Several teams were interested, but both Soudal Quick-Step and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have dropped out of the race for the young rider. According to the always well-informed cycling journalist Daniel Benson, a deal with NSN Cycling is probably already in the bag. An official statement was supposed to be made after the Tour of Italy, but as of 3 June this has not yet been made. This could be an indication that the deal with NSN has not yet been fully finalised.
3 Jai Hindley - New challenge
One of the biggest rumours concerns Giro winner Jai Hindley. According to Tuttobici and Velo, the Australian is set to leave Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and ride for Visma Lease a Bike from 2027. There he would fill the gap left by the retirement of Simon Yates, initially as a noble helper for Jonas Vingegaard, with his own leading roles in other races. A change would only make sense. Because there is less and less room for him in the Grand Tours with his current team. Originally planned as a noble helper, he even finished third in the 2026 Tour of Italy and proved once again that he still has what it takes for the grand tours.
4th Jordi Meeus - Lidl-Trek on a shopping tour
Belgian sprinter Jordi Meeus is also on the verge of a move to Lidl-Trek. Het Laatste Nieuws reported that Meeus will leave Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and join the US team, which will further strengthen its sprint squad. In addition to the newly signed Grischa Niermann and presumably Felix Gall, this would be another major cycling transfer for the 2027 season. The signing would fit in well: Lidl-Trek is currently considered one of the most active teams on the transfer market and already has one of the best sprint trains in the world. However, Meeus could have a tough time against Jonathan Milan. This could lead to conflicts, especially in the one-day sprint classics such as the Copenhagen Sprint, the Hamburg Cyclassics, the Ronde Van Brugge, Middelkerke-Wevelgem and other races. A division is difficult there because there are not an unlimited number of races of this calibre at WorldTour level.
5 Arnaud De Lie - Tudor already clear?
Arnaud De Lie has apparently already made his decision. The Swiss team Tudor has probably already won the race for the Belgian classics specialist. Several large teams, including Soudal Quick-Step, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Groupama-FDJ were interested, but Tudor is said to have made the strongest financial offer. This means that Lotto-Intermarché is losing one of its most important riders. The team had a difficult start to the season after the merger and was unable to collect many tangible results. In the meantime, however, the riders are gaining momentum, but the departure of De Lie hurts. For Tudor, however, this transfer would be a real coup.
Leon Weidner
Working student
