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With the majority of the European leagues having concluded and or in their final weeks of regular season, it is that time of the year where football moves from on the pitch to dusting off cheque books and heading to the negotiating table.
All the news, gossip and rumors that come along with this time of year are well and truly underway.
While players are sunning themselves on super yachts in Ibiza, attending NBA finals in Miami and stag dos in Billericay (UK folk will get this one), we the supporters will continue to live through the same emotions covered during the regular season during the summer transfer window.
Hope, elation, desperation, excitement, resentment. All this from the first scan of the world wide web in the morning.
Fans will be scouring websites to see what clubs players, managers, assistants and owners are being linked with, and who is rumored to be sold and transferred.
For the two months we are devoid of any meaningful club football, this is what we look forward to.
Here is my take on what has already been closed, proposed and basically anything of minor interest to all from a club perspective.
Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain
Whether it is the Qatari owned Ligue 1 winners PSG, or Oligarch-owned Monaco (sound familiar, EPL fans?) these boys are throwing serious money into the transfer market.
These boys are playing their own ‘le fantasy football league’.
Monaco have already splashed out €70 million for FC Porto’s James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho, and reportedly €50 million for arguably the most sort after summer signing, Rafael Falcon of Atletico Madrid.
Throw in Ricardo Carvalho from Real Madrid, they have already done some decent shopping. The account is not anywhere near overdraft status, so expect more from the club based in the world’s wealthiest playground.
PSG, after a successful Champions League campaign, are also looking to strengthen their already impressive squad.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking elsewhere (as he is prone to do), Wayne Rooney’s name has been popping regularly. I see Rooney staying at United. Stranger things have happened.
If Ibrahimovic goes, the Qatari lads will only expect someone of the same standard.
Chelsea and Manchester City
Remember when these boys were the only names able to buy anyone they wanted? Well, they still can, and still will be very active.
Both clubs will have new managers, widely assumed to be Jose Mourinho coming home to Chelsea and Manuel Pellegrini to City. Cue Rubles and black gold being offered as welcoming gifts.
Fernando Torres scored 22 goals last season. Not a bad return by any means. Only not good enough when you cost 50 Million and your owner is Roman Abramovich.
Radamel Falcao was widely tipped as a target, yet with his move to Monaco almost sealed, who is next in line?
Bringing Lakaku back from loan is well just too boring for this article, so who?
Rooney has been mentioned, but United would be loathe to sell him to a rival. No matter the price.
Robert Lewandowski of Dortmund would be a nice addition up top for Chelsea. Their midfield is arguably the best in the Premier League and Lewandowski is an addition that could well make them the ones to beat next season.
At the Etihad, new manager and literally the whole side (except Sergio Aguero, who just signed an extension) are rumored to be leaving.
Anything is possible with this lot and their new manager. Will leave that in the too hard basket.
Bayern Munich
Bayern have already started adding to their European Champions team. Mario Goetze has already signed from Dortmund, and they are well in the hunt for Robert Lewandowski’s signature as well. Feeder club anyone?
Barcelona
Neymar in, Lionel Messi already there. Wow.
Xavi and Andres Iniesta still pulling the strings. Do they need more? Usually the answer is yes.
With Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez pretty much fringe players, they could be in for new blood. There are not many times that don’t get players they are in for. I think they are good with the incredible addition of Neymar for now.
Real Madrid
The Special One has left Real. Will this make the world’s best second best player happy again?
Cristiano Ronaldo, with 201 goals in 199 games for Real, is simply irreplaceable. President Ramon Calderon recently stated he wanted to make Ronaldo the highest paid player in the world. This would make almost everyone happy, let’s see if it bring a smile to CR7.
President Calderon has also stated he thinks Gareth Bale can be the best player in the world. Translation: we are going to break the bank to sign him.
My guess, Bale will be playing in a slightly similar shirt next season and the football world will be trying hard to understand a Welshman’s accent attempting Spanish.
Manchester United
Manchester United will not be managed by Sir Alex Ferguson next season. The whole world knows this. Question is, when it relates to transfers, how many players joined United to play under SAF?
Historically, I believe this would have been a deciding factor.
The Glazers and David Moyes need to make a significant show of intent this summer. Manchester United need to show the football world there is life at Old Trafford after SAF.
What could make statement more than Cristiano Ronaldo returning?
The value of the deal would normally be outside United’s means. There is talk United are looking to make a General Motors-sponsored bid and, with Rooney possibly on the way out, this could be more than rumour.
In my biased opinion, I certainly hope so.
In football terms, United need to strengthen their midfield. Double swoop for Fabregas and Thiago from Barcelona is the latest. If this were true, and Robin Van Persie and Fabregas were in the centre of the park for United, one part of North London would not be impressed.
Other highlights of late:
Stefan Jovetic to Arsenal.
Luis Suarez to Real Madrid.
Christian Benteke and Christian Eriksen to every team in Europe.
Harry Kewell to Melbourne Heart (couldn’t leave the A-League out).
The rumors and gossip can be written about at length, and more than likely would have changed since the time it has taken you to read this.
One thing is for certain, it keeps us interested during the summer months.
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