As August draws to a close and the cycling transfer window moves forward in a trickle, the player market dries up as teams finalize deals and fill out their 2023 rosters.

Big names such as Dylan van Baar, Richard Kalapas, Dylan Tuns, and Tim Merlier all have future destinations in mind, but perhaps the biggest name on the market, Mark Cavendish, has yet to find his next destination.

British champion Mark Cavendish is set to leave Quick Step Alfavinir at the end of this year, and has been rumored to be interested in several teams, including Ineos Grenadiers and EF Education Easy Post.

However, the team has been linked with several teams so far.

The strongest ties, however, are with French professional team B&B Hotels-KTM. Team boss Jérôme Pinault has said that the chances of the Manxman joining the team are "50-50" at the moment.

"Yes, we are talking," Pinault told Le Télégramme (open in new tab) on Monday. 'He's not one of the five I've already signed. He is a player I like very much. I would love to have him, but it's quite complicated." [Cavendish is a cycling legend. There are sports, but that's not all. ...... It's like negotiating with a soccer player. He wants to come to us, but he also doesn't want to retire here.

"If he comes, it will be to win. I want to win with him. Today, I will say it is 50-50 on his recruitment."

Currently well outside the top 18 teams in the UCI world rankings, the B&B team will not be promoted to the World Tour next season but has big ambitions for 2023 with a new sponsor (French supermarket Carrefour is rumored) and a big budget They have big ambitions for 2023.

Cavendish would be an important signing for the team, and if he joins, he would be looking for a record 35th stage win at next year's Tour de France. The 37-year-old Cavendish, who switched agents earlier this year, is seeking a contract that guarantees him a place in the Tour.

Cavendish is not the only standout, as the team has just four wins in 2022, with the exception of Pierre Rolland, Franck Bonhommeur, up-and-coming sprinter Luca Mozzato, and 21-year-old Brittany Classic runner-up Axel Laurens He is looking to upgrade a roster that has few names.

The signing of DSM sprinter Cees Bol is almost certain, and Bike Exchange-Jayco climber Nick Schultz (second in this year's Tour in Megève) is also likely to move on. Pinault said his team has signed five riders from the WorldTour for 2023.

"Including the rider extensions that will be announced soon, we will have 26 riders for 2023. And given the chance, we could have 28," Pinault said.

"We currently have five riders signed from the World Tour. We are strengthening in all areas. The reason we haven't signed any leaders is because we don't have any players on the market. We might be able to acquire one or two more. We are looking

"Some of the names that were leaked were completely wrong. On the other hand, we almost signed Michael Matthews. In the end, he wanted to stay with his current team."