Following concerns about financial fair play restrictions in the January transfer market, many are now looking ahead to the outlook for this summer.
Real Madrid has already made significant moves, securing the signing of Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer (with a €125m signing bonus going to the player) and agreeing to bring Brazilian talent Endrick to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad after a deal was reached with Palmeiras 18 months ago.
With coaching changes happening at numerous European powerhouses, managers such as Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich), Hansi Flick (Barcelona), Arne Slot (Liverpool), Enzo Maresca (Chelsea), Antonio Conte (Napoli), and Thiago Motta (Juventus) will likely be looking to invest in reshaping their teams.
There are also questions surrounding other Premier League clubs. Manchester United’s plans for the summer remain uncertain, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly keen on rebuilding and Erik ten Hag still in charge. Newcastle must continue to balance their finances, Aston Villa are gearing up for a Champions League campaign, while Manchester City and Arsenal are looking to gain an early advantage in the title race.
Tottenham, who faltered towards the end of last season, are in need of a revamp and have already brought in promising Swedish talent Lucas Bergvall; Brentford has splashed out £30 million on striker Igor Thiago, potentially paving the way for Ivan Toney to depart.
The newly promoted teams – Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton – also face the challenge of making strategic investments to avoid the struggles experienced by last season’s promoted trio.
In other parts of Europe, there are plenty of uncertainties. How will PSG navigate rebuilding without Mbappé? Will Xabi Alonso aim to strengthen his impressive Leverkusen side? What approach will Girona take in their first-ever Champions League campaign? And what lies ahead for the Saudi Pro League after their significant impact on the transfer market last summer? All these questions will be answered by the time the transfer window across Europe closes on 30 August.
