As the beer-sodden bleachers empty and the confetti-riddled pitches are cleared, it may seem an austere setting at soccer stadiums across Europe. The domestic seasons have come to a close.
Yet, inside the confines of each team's headquarters, managers and assistants are planning their summer moves. The summer transfer window is filled with fruitless rumors and hope for fans and players alike. But it can also be down-right fun. Every year, at least one big name is linked to a new team. It never fails. This year, it seems Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba will be the most high-profile players linked to teams other than their own. Each team has a different goal and different players will be brought in to fulfill them.
Here are the top needs and rumors surrounding each top European club:
English Premier League
Chelsea:
Fresh off its fourth Premier League title, Jose Mourinho won't feel there are many holes on his talented roster. But like all top teams, Chelsea cannot rest on its laurels. Teams such as Manchester City and Manchester United, as well as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, will likely improve, and it's up to the Portuguese manager to keep Chelsea on top. Even though the Blues won their domestic league and cup, they were bounced in the first round of the knockout stage in the Champions League. In fact, no English team made it past the top 16. Chelsea will want to get back in the winner's circle for Europe's top competition, and it will need to make some upgrades to do so.
Top Targets:
RW Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid — The 24-year-old Frenchman finished third in La Liga with 22 goals and can play a variety of attacking positions. Mourinho craves another goal scoring threat on the right side and also needs a guy who can slide over to the middle, as Eden Hazard and Willian like to roam.
ST Radamel Falcao, Monaco — The 29-year-old Colombian suffered a nightmare season at Manchester United that saw him net just four goals. The Red Devils failed to sign the striker after his loan, but Falcao is desperate to remain with one of the top European clubs. He reportedly told Monaco, the team that owns his contract, that he'd be willing to shave £100,000 off of his £265,000-a-week salary to join the Premier League champions.
W/ST Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid: Ronaldo is not pleased with the sacking of manager Carlo Ancelotti, and may ask to leave the team and move back to the Premier League. Yes, the Portuguese star and Portuguese manager (Mourinho) haven't always been on the best of terms, but CR7 would likely fancy playing alongside budding star Eden Hazard.
Manchester United
United will have a chance to make it back into the Champions League next year, but Louis Van Gaal would like nothing more than to challenge for a Premier League title. Wayne Rooney believes his team is one or two players away from competing with the world's best, and the Red Devils will reportedly be handed £250m in transfer funds this summer to make sure that's the case.
Top Targets: (Manchester United has already agreed on a £25m contract with Dutch winger Memphis Depay and a £21.4m deal with central midfielder Nicolas Gaitan)
ST Karim Benzema, Real Madrid — Benzema could be moved as Madrid try to clear space on the books for Paul Pogba, and Manchester United is mulling over a £40 million bid for the French forward.
ST Edinson Cavani, PSG — Cavani is unsettled playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimović at the French capital, and could be lured over to a team he'd have a chance to be the key No. 9 on.
CB Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund — Hummels is coming off a disappointing season at Dortmund, but remains one of the top defenders in the world. His strength of moving up the pitch and providing goal-scoring opportunities, is also his weakness when he doesn't make it back.
Manchester City:
City was Chelsea's strongest competitor throughout most of the Premier League campaign, but once again failed to make it past the Round of 16 in the Champions League. City may need to infuse some youth into the squad to excite fans and players alike.
Top Targets:
RW Raheem Sterling, Liverpool: There's a myriad of opinions on Sterling's perceived value, and despite scoring only seven goals in 34 games in the Premier League, he remains an exciting young talent.
LW Jack Grealish, Aston Villa: City is attempting to get younger this offseason and is currently monitoring the progress of 19-year-old Grealish, who impressed in his debut season.
DM Paul Pogba, Juventus: Rumors have been swirling around the French phenom for the better part of two years since he's made his mark at the Old Lady, but no one seems to know where Pogba wants to play next.
Arsenal:
Fresh off its FA Cup win, Arsenal will look to build on an already talented squad. It seems like the Gunners have been searching for a premier striker since Thierry Henry graced the Emirates Stadium. Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck are capable target men, but neither are physical enough to win all the battles in the grueling Premier League.
Top Targets:
G Petr Cech, Chelsea: It seems unlikely Jose Mourinho and Chelsea would let its legend goalkeeper make the short move across London, but Arsenal is desperate to lock down the signature of a top keeper and may be willing to over-pay.
AM Arturo Vidal, Juventus: It's hard to imagine Juventus allowing both Vidal and Pogba to walk this summer. Together, they combine to make one of the best midfield pairings in Europe.
ST Jackson Martinez, FC Porto: Big, tall and strong, Martinez offers all the physical tools Arsenal needs in a front man. Martinez has a £24.7million release clause in his contract, and the Gunners seem willing to trigger it.
Spanish Primera División
Real Madrid:
We get it. Real Madrid has high standards. But at the same time, it seemed a bit rash to sack manager Carlo Ancelotti after failing to win a single trophy this season. The guy did win the Champions League last year, and he had a team stacked with stars playing unselfishly. Madrid was mired by injuries all season (Bale, James Rodriguez, Benzema), so it will be interesting to see if the overhaul trickles down to the squad. It may be tough for newly-signed manager Rafa Benitez to keep some high-profile names during this window.
Top Targets:
Pogba, Juventus: Pogba is the top target for the most expensive team. There doesn't seem to be an obvious spot for him in the squad, but that won't stop Madrid from pursuing the Frenchman's signature.
Sterling, Liverpool: Sterling could be a juicy target if Ronaldo were to leave. He's creative and has a deft touch in front of goal. The more finesse-heavy La Liga would allow him to run more freely as well.
G David De Gea, Manchester United: De Gea had a tremendous season between the pipes for the Red Devils. He's gone from talented upstart to one of the best keepers in the world.
Barcelona:
Unable to sign anyone in 2015.
German Bundesliga:
Bayern Munich:
Bayern once again cruised through the Bundesliga with few hiccups. Yet it was still a bit of a disappointing season for a team that wants to win the Champions League above all else. With Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben getting older, FC Hollywood may look to upgrade on the wings.
Top Targets:
LW Angel Di Maria, Manchester United: Di Maria failed to hold down a regular spot in a Red Devils uniform, which has caused a lot of speculation his tenure could be just the one year in the Premier League.
Griezmann, Atletico Madrid: Griezmann is one of the most coveted young goal scorers on the market after a fantastic season. Bayern and Chelsea are seemingly locked in a tussle for the young Frenchman's signature.
CM Kevin De Bruyne, Wolfsburg: De Bruyne is wanted by the likes of City and Bayern and also has a buy-back clause in his contract to re-join Chelsea following a spectacular season at Wolfsburg.
French League 1:
Paris Saint-Germain:
Ronaldo, Real Madrid: PSG has reportedly already offered Real Madrid £125m for Ronaldo amidst speculation he's unhappy with the sacking of Ancelotti. PSG is looking to add another wing, so Ronaldo would be able to step in and help right away.
Di Maria, Manchester United: Di Maria was close to signing with PSG during last year's transfer window and finds himself courted by the club once again.
Cech, Chelsea: PSG is in desperate need of a top keeper, and Cech is the best one on the market. Still just 33, Cech still has plenty of years in the tank.