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The hustle and bustle of the FIFA World Cup is finally over and the normality of club football is scheduled to resume in a couple of weeks, with teams already kick-starting their pre-season preparations in venues spread across the world.
Many new stars have emerged out of the World Cup and the summer transfer window has already seen some of them seek greener pastures in search of better opportunities and bigger challenges ahead of the upcoming season.
While Juventus pulled off arguably the blockbuster signing of the summer when they swooped in for Cristiano Ronaldo in a deal rumoured to be worth around €112m, their Serie A counterparts AS Roma have invested the €75m obtained from Alisson Becker's move to Liverpool by roping in about 12 different players including the likes of Justin Kluivert, Javier Pastore and Patrik Schick.
However, the rumour mill is still swinging around and with deadline day fast approaching, some of the top clubs in Europe will be hoping to finalize the deals for some of their long-term targets as well as relatively new ones to try and bolster their credentials before the dawn of the 2018-19 season.
On that note, let's take a closer look at a combined XI made up of the hottest transfer targets of the summer.
#1 GK - Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
The Chelsea shot-stopper put the misery of a disappointing domestic campaign with his club to bed by enjoying a remarkable run in the World Cup with Belgium.
Thibaut Courtois was an integral part of The Red Devils team that produced their highest ever finish in the history of the tournament and caught the eye via his scintillating performance against Neymar and Brazil in their quarter-final win over the Selecao.
Courtois' current contract with Chelsea is set to expire next summer and talks of renewal have reportedly hit a stumbling block amidst interest from Real Madrid. If reports are to be believed, the La Liga giants have agreed personal terms with the 26 year old and the clubs are currently negotiating a transfer fee for the player estimated to be worth around £40m.
#2 RB - Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur)
Toby Alderweireld is reportedly being courted by Manchester United, who are preparing to bolster their ranks in the defensive department ahead of the upcoming season.
The Belgian had emerged as the ideal candidate to add solidity to The Red Devils even before the World Cup, and his impressive outing with Belgium has apparently gone on to further enhance his reputation in the eyes of Jose Mourinho.
However, Tottenham Hotspur have decided to play hard-ball over the possible transfer of their star man to a direct rival and have already slapped an astonishing £75m price-tag on the defender.
Recent reports suggest that United will seek a cheaper alternative in the form of Harry Maguire, but Alderweireld's keen interest on a move to Old Trafford could prompt Ed Woodward to make a move.
#3 CB - Yerry Mina (FC Barcelona)
FC Barcelona defender and Colombia's World Cup sensation Yerry Mina is reportedly attracting interest from a number of clubs in Europe after rumours emerged that the youngster does not have a future at the Nou Camp.
Mina who joined Barcelona in January from Palmeiras, became a household name in Europe following his goal scoring exploits at the World Cup, where he scored thrice in as many appearances for Colombia - including a 90th minute equalizer against England in the round of 16 clash between the two sides.
According to reports, both Lyon and Everton are believed to be in the race for the 23 year old who is reportedly valued at around £35m by the Blaugrana.
#4 CB - Daniele Rugani (Juventus)
Daniele Rugani is reportedly closing in on a move to reunite with former boss Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea after agreeing personal terms with the Premier League giants.
Rugani is apparently seeking a new challenge and believes that he could become a guaranteed starter at Stamford Bridge under Sarri who had worked with him while on loan at Empoli.
If reports are to be believed, the deal is all but confirmed subject to the two clubs agreeing on a transfer fee for the 23 year old. Chelsea's initial offer of £35m was rejected, and it is rumoured that Juventus are holding out for a fee in the region of £45m.
#5 LB - Alex Sandro (Juventus)
The Juventus full-back has been attracting interest from a number of potential suitors across Europe for the past few seasons, and it is now being reported that the club will not stand in his way of seeking a fresh challenge away from Italy this summer.
If reports are to be believed, Alex Sandro is closing in on a move to join Paris Saint-Germain after snubbing Manchester United in the process.
The 27 year old could be available for a sum of about £40m, owing to a dip in form after an injury he sustained last season.
#6 CM - Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)
The Serbian midfielder was quite easily the best player in his department in the Italian Serie A last season, and almost helped Lazio to Champions League qualification after narrowly missing out to Inter for fourth place on the table.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored 12 goals from midfield last season while registering 4 assists to his name as well, becoming one of Serie A's breakout talents in the process.
Both Manchester United and Real Madrid were believed to be in the race for the dynamic 23 year old, but recent reports suggest that the player favours a shock move to Chelsea instead to play under Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.
Lazio have already slapped a hefty £120m price tag on the Serbian who could be the subject of a blockbuster transfer in the near future.
#7 CM - Aleksandr Golovin (CSKA Moscow)
Aleksandr Golovin, Russia's golden boy from the World Cup is reportedly set for a move away from CSKA Moscow to one of Europe's top leagues this summer.
The 22 year old was the driving force behind the hosts' fairy tale run in the World Cup that saw them reach the quarter-finals, and has been replicating the same kind of form at club level for quite a while now.
According to reports, the midfielder has been offered the opportunity to represent both Chelsea and AS Monaco in the upcoming season, and the decision solely rests on Golovin himself after CSKA admitted that they won't derail the player's opportunity to move on to a bigger platform. Golovin is reportedly valued at £35m, and could be on the move very soon.
#8 RW - Leon Bailey (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen's Jamaican winger Leon Bailey has emerged as a potential target for Chelsea who are currently on the lookout for a quality winger amidst the uncertainty surrounding the future of Eden Hazard.
However, recent reports suggest that The Blues will face stern competition from AS Roma who have also identified the 20 year old as a potential signing after losing out on Malcom to FC Barcelona in the last minute.
The tricky winger enjoyed a stellar debut season with Leverkusen after he bagged 9 goals and 6 assists in 25 starts in the Bundesliga last season, helping his team to a fifth placed finish on the table.
Bailey is reportedly valued at around £50m by Leverkusen, and it would take a serious offer from the interested parties if they are to lure him away from Germany.
#9 CAM - Nabil Fekir (Olympique Lyon)
Nabil Fekir's proposed £60m move to Liverpool might have broken down due to a failed medical, but it is now being reported that Olympique Lyon are still willing to listen to offers around the same value due to the player's desire to further enhance his career by joining a top European side.
According to reports, Chelsea have expressed their interest to try and convince the player to join them at Stamford Bridge, as they prepare for revival under Maurizio Sarri.
However the signing could depend on the future of both Willian and Eden Hazard, as Chelsea will only be considering the Frenchman as a replacement for either, and will probably be hoping to fund the transfer from whatever they earn via potential departures.
#10 LW - Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Real Madrid have been long-term admirers of Eden Hazard, and Cristiano Ronaldo's departure is expected to force them to push for a move to lure Chelsea's talisman to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 27 year old's scintillating World Cup campaign with Belgium has probably ended the debate over who is the most ideal candidate to fill the void left behind by Ronaldo in the Spanish capital, and it could mean that Florentino Perez will engage in a red-hot pursuit for the winger.
However, Chelsea have confirmed that they are in no pressure to sell their star man and have now slapped a £200m price-tag on the player.
#11 ST - Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus)
Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuain could follow his former boss Maurizio Sarri to Chelsea according to several reports. The Argentine striker scored 36 goals in the 2015-16 Serie A campaign - the highest by any player in a single season, during his stint at Napoli under the then manager Sarri.
If reports are believed, Chelsea are plotting a deal that could re-unite the duo at Stamford Bridge and possibly emulate the success enjoyed by the partnership in Naples.
Higuain is reportedly valued at £50m by Juventus, but Chelsea are reportedly preparing to offer Alvaro Morata as makeweight to try and bring down the fee in what could become a player plus cash deal that could benefit all parties.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Speculated combined value: £750m
Disclaimer: All the selections have been made considering the reliability factors and credibility of rumours to have surfaced over the course of this month.
