THE European club season is almost over, so attention is already turning to the summer transfer window.
With the World Cup on the horizon, many deals will be completed far earlier than normal.
Clubs will be willing to pay a few extra million in order to get a signing over the line before the competition in Russia gets underway.
With that in mind we asked our friends at Football Whispers to pick out the five biggest potential moves of the summer ahead.
Neymar to Real Madrid
Neymar’s move to PSG last summer sent shockwaves through the world of football, and he could well do the same should the Brazilian return to Spain.
Rather than pitch up at former club Barcelona with his mates Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, though, the world’s most expensive player could well be going up against them.
Real Madrid have seemingly been obsessed with luring Neymar to the club ever since he emerged at Santos.
Even a move to the Camp Nou didn’t cool Real’s interest in the player, however, and rumours regularly rumbled on about the forward wearing the famous white shirt.
A troubled year at PSG, where the club failed miserably in the Champions League, has kept the wheels in motion over a potential deal.
Throw in a high-profile fallout with Edinson Cavani and a troubled relationship with coach Unai Emery, it’s no wonder Real are more confident than ever of landing their man, even though PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says he will “2000 percent” stay.
Financially, Real have been prudent of late so the eye-watering transfer fee would be no problem.
There is also the issue of BBC being in decline and needing some freshening up.
It’s quite likely one of Karim Benzema or Gareth Bale will leave the club this summer, with a slight possibility of even both making way.
It leaves Real needing a superstar to be the symbol of the club in the long-term, and Neymar fits the bill perfectly.
Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona
The Frenchman’s ascendancy into the elite has not gone unnoticed at Barcelona, and they view the Atletico Madrid star as the man to not only ease the burden on Lionel Messi but eventually lead their frontline.
Griezmann’s developed impressively with Atleti, becoming the one superstar in Diego Simeone’s tightly knit group.
Not only would he offer Barca a goalscoring presence, but intelligence off the ball and helping out the team in an unselfish manner.
Atleti have reportedly offered Griezmann the biggest contract in the club’s history to remain in Madrid, but it is unlikely to be enough for a player desperately seeking out silverware.
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Jorginho to Manchester City
Pep Guardiola may have constructed the most dominant side the Premier League has seen but the Catalan boss is prepared to spend big once again this summer in order to clinch the Champions League next term.
There are few weak areas in the City squad, however, there is no capable alternative to Fernandinho in midfield, which is why City have been linked with a move for Jorginho.
The Brazilian-born Italian international has blossomed into one of the finest deep-lying midfielders over the past two seasons and is wanted by a number of top European clubs.
It’s City that are leading the race, though, and the Premier League champions are hopeful of completing a £53m move for 26-year-old.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Manchester United
The imposing Serb has lit up Serie A across the course of the season and turned heads at every major club.
Not only an intimidating, powerful physical force, Milinkovic-Savic is also technically gifted and delivers in the final third, he has struck 14 times in all competitions this term and has claimed nine assists.
His forays from deep in midfield, from where he drives with the ball or moves intelligently while remaining undetected, is something sorely missed in the United engine room.
Gareth Bale to Manchester United
It’s the rumour that simply won’t go away. Bale heading to United is a deal that has been mooted ever since the Wales star broke through at Southampton as a 16-year-old.
His development into a world star has seen him pass United by, but reports of a move to Old Trafford still persist.
Bale’s had a mixed experience in Spain, with injuries and inability to feature consistently the main sore point in his time at Real Madrid.
With reports of Real looking to freshen up their forward line, that may mean Bale is moved on and United will likely be the most interested.
His power, speed and ability to drive at opponents would add a lot more venom to the United attack and also bring in some much needed star appeal.
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