The summer is often a soft time for exciting sports news. Baseball is in the “dog days of summer” and many divert their attention to NBA free agency. However, basketball is not the only sport that captivates fans with transactions in trades. The summer is also full of massive marquee moves in the world of soccer. July and August act as two of the three months where players are able to be sold to other teams. With only two months to get rid of unwanted players and sign players needed to improve, clubs are forced to be in constant negotiations.
The 2012-2013 season was exciting, but lacked the serious competition that made two years ago so great. Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Barcelona won their respective domestic leagues with relative ease. The main storyline than came out of the season was the strength of German clubs. Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich outplayed the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final setting up an all-German Final. Bayern Munich won, and a week later completed their treble winning their domestic league and cup.
After winning three trophies, and embarrassing Barcelona over two legs in the champions league defeating them by an aggregate score of 7-0, it may appear as if Bayern has already played their best soccer. The German giants are only getting better.
Bayern have hired Pep Guardiola as their new coach. Guardolia had taken a year off after capturing over a dozen trophies coaching Barcelona for four years. The Spanish coach has already impressed, speaking fluent German in his first interview as Bayern’s coach. Bayern have also signed Dortmund’s star player Mario Gotze. Bayern are also attempting to bring in Dortmund’s leading scorer Robert Lewandowski next season.
Despite making massive improvements to an already strong side, Bayern will face serious competition in Europe. Starting in their own league, Dortmund have signed strikers Henrikh Mkhitaryan, from Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, from French side St. Etienne.
After having embarrassing ends to their Champions League campaigns, Barcelona and Real Madrid are looking to get back to winning form. Barcelona made the biggest deal of the summer signing Neymar from Brazilian club Santos. The young striker is known throughout the world and YouTube for his incredible dribbling skills. Neymar impressed in the Confederations Cup scoring four goals for Brazil and quieted some of the naysayers who questioned the youngster’s ability to transition to playing in Europe.
Madrid has made big signings of their own, purchasing Isco from Malaga and Asier Illarramendi from Real Sociedad. Madrid has been in fierce negotiations to sign Tottenham star Gareth Bale. However, the London club wants to keep the Welsh star at all cost and rumors suggest the asking price for Bale is $80 million. In addition to this, Madrid is interested in signing Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. Despite signing a contract extension just last year, the Uruguayan is wanted by top clubs throughout Europe.
Many of the top clubs in England are looking to make their own impression in the summer months. Manchester City is looking to win their second Premier League title in three years. After a disappointing 2012 season both on and off the field, City have brought in new manager Manuel Pellegrini. Their first signings under Pellegrini were winger Jesus Navas from Sevilla and Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk.
City, who have a seemingly endless supply of funds from their Abu Dhabi United Group owners, are looking to make huge signings. The club was criticized for it's lack of ambition last summer and many argue that was the reason it defended its title so poorly. City has gotten rid of striker Carlos Tevez, who is leaving for Juventus, and is looking for a top striker; the likes of Edison Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are linked to a move to City
Across the city, Manchester United is also keen on bringing in world class talent. After the surprise retirement of long-time manager Sir Alex Ferguson, new boss David Moyes plans to be ambitions this summer. Wilfred Zaha has finally arrived at Old Trafford following his transfer from Crystal Palace in January. Zaha, an England U-21 star, stayed at Palace for the remainder of the season leading the club to promotion into the Premier League. United’s only other move this year has been signing youngster Guillermo Varela from Uruguayan side Penarol. The fullback is widely unknown and his only time in the world spotlight has been in this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup where Varela and his Uruguayan teammates reached the final.
The biggest transfer story line for United this summer is Wayne Rooney. Rooney allegedly handed in his second transfer request in three years towards the end of last year. Several clubs are lined up to bid for the striker, but Moyes insists Rooney is not for sale. Regardless of who these two clubs sign before the window closes, they both will be favorites to win the title.
Further south in England lays Arsenal and Chelsea in the heart of London. Chelsea is a notorious big spender, and this summer appears to be no different. Chelsea, who is back under the leadership of Jose Mourinho, has already signed German midfielder Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen. They are also linked to several stars such as Rooney, Cavani and Suarez. The club has not had too much success in the league, but have won European competitions in each of the last two years. It will be interesting to see if they can have success on multiple fronts this year.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are not known for breaking the bank in the summer, but are looking to make a splash this summer. They have been rumored to be in the running for Rooney, Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain and Suarez to boost their attack.
With record television contracts going into effect this season, Premier League teams have cash to burn. Even the team that comes in dead last, 20th place, will be given $90 million over the course of the next three seasons. Clubs from all over the world have more money than ever before as well.
Newly promoted French team Monaco is backed by Russian Billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev. Rybolovlev is just another extremely rich owner throwing money at his club in hope of having success. Monaco’s deep pockets will go head to head with fellow big spenders and defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Economic problems across the globe have forced many clubs to cut back in their spending. However the result has been the smaller cubs being forced to sell their best players to rich clubs unaffected by the economic climate. As many clubs look to invest in youth, and developmental programs, others look for the quick and often unpredictable waters of the transfer market. From now until the end of August, there will be twists, turns, and unthinkable moves that will shape the coming season. And when the dust settles, there will be a new-looking world of soccer that will captivate us for an exciting 2013-2014 season.