8 biggest transfers which might actually happen this season

The summer transfer window is here and we are all set to see some crazy transfer fees for some world class players. Top clubs across Europe are all determined to strengthen their squad and with all of them having substantial financial muscle, it will not come as much of a surprise if we see Paul Pogba’s transfer record being broken comfortably in the coming two months.

Unsurprisingly, Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are expected to be at the forefront in the transfer market while Premier League sides like Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City will also be confident of making an impact. Without much ado, let us take a look at the top 8 transfers which could actually happen this summer transfer window:

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#8 Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea

Diego Costa dropped a bombshell when he said that Antonio Conte no longer saw him as a part of his plans at Chelsea. The Spaniard was supremely effective last season and although there were some reported problems with his attitude, there is no denying the fact that he is a top class striker.

However, Conte seems to have already found the ideal replacement with many publications claiming that a deal for former striker Romelu Lukaku is all but done. The Everton striker was in fine form last season and it seems that the Italian sees the Belgian as an ideal fit for his demanding style of play

Lukaku has never hidden the fact that he wants to play in a team challenging for top honours and the 24-year-old believes that it is now the right time to test himself in a competition like the Champions League. Daily Star is claiming that personal terms have already been agreed and it only looks like a matter of time before this transfer becomes official.

#7 Alvaro Morata to Manchester United

One rumour which has refused to die down is the news of Alvaro Morata securing a move to Premier League giants Manchester United. The Spaniard’s future has been subject to intense speculation and it looks almost certain that the supremely talented midfielder will make a move away from Los Blancos this summer.

Although Morata won the double at Real Madrid, the Spaniard has not been happy with the lack of playing time under Zinedine Zidane. A few days back, Morata’s agent Juanma Lopez had confirmed that the 24-year-old could be looking for a new club:

“He doesn't want to go through another season like that. It was a great season, but he wants to play more. Alvaro is a player who wants to play a more important role. He wants to play more. That's normal for a striker who's scored 19 goals. It's not enough.”

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic no longer part of Manchester United, Morata’s move to Old Trafford seems to make perfect sense for all parties involved. United will be hoping to agree on a transfer fee with Real Madrid as soon as possible.

#6 Gianluigi Donnarumma to Real Madrid

Still only 18 and already one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Gianluigi Donnarumma is a confirmed target for Real Madrid President Florentino Perez. Los Blancos were heavily linked with a move for Manchester United shot-stopper David De Gea, but the young Italian’s refusal to sign a new contract has alerted Real Madrid to his availability.

Speaking about Donnarumma, Perez explained:

"Everyone says he's a great player, he's going to be the substitute for Buffon, And he seems to have very good manners. Surely we are watching him. But we will not talk about what we are doing."

He also put an end to rumours about De Gea joining the All Whites:

"We haven't spoken to De Gea. Two years ago we had an issue and then the appropriate circumstances didn't arise.”

While Donnarumma has received a lot of criticism for his refusal to sign a new deal, it could well pave the way for him to join the current European champions and become Real Madrid long-term 'number 1'

#5 Ousmane Dembele to Barcelona

One of the brightest young talents in world football at the moment, 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger Ousmane Dembele has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona. Reportedly the Catalan giants’ number 1 target for the summer transfer window, Dembele has impressed one and all with his pace, trickery and dribbling skills for the Bundesliga giants this season.

Respected French publication L'Equipe even claimed that the Catalan giants will go all out in their effort to sign the winger while Spanish publication Marca said that Barcelona's technical director Robert Fernandez made contact with Dembele's agent to talk about a move to the Camp Nou.

It is no secret that the Catalan giants rate the Frenchman highly. Dembele himself revealed that Barcelona were keen to sign him last summer:

"Last year I had contact with the Barcelona sports director," he said, via Mundo Deportivo. "I'm good at Dortmund. I have a contract until 2021. I don't pay attention to what is said."

Barcelona usually get whom they want and this could end well end up becoming one of the blockbuster transfer deals of this summer transfer window.

#4 James Rodriguez to Manchester United/Chelsea/PSG

One player who definitely needs to leave to get his career back on track is 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez. The Colombian superstar has been relegated to the first team sidelines under Zinedine Zidane and a player of his calibre will certainly be looking for an opportunity to showcase his class in another top level European club.

A lot of clubs have been credited with an interest in the playmaker. Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea are the favourites while Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain are also seen as a viable destination for the Colombian.

One of the most gifted players in world football at the moment, James has seen himself fall behind Bale, Isco and even Marco Asensio in the pecking order. A move away from the Bernabeu will certainly do James Rodriguez a world of good. It only remains to be seen which among the above clubs will be lucky to get his services.

#3 Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City/Bayern Munich

One of the best players in the Premier League at the moment, Alexis Sanchez has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester City and Bayern Munich in the transfer window. The Chilean winger has refused to commit his future at the Emirates amid talks of dissatisfaction at the way the club is run.

While Sanchez's new salary is one barrier in him signing a new contract, the Chilean reportedly wants to leave because he does not see the Gunners challenging for major trophies like the Champions League and the Premier League in the near future.

Both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti are huge fans of the combative Arsenal forward, but it is believed that Arsenal do not want to do business with a direct rival. While City are ready to pay more both to Arsenal and Sanchez, the hierarchy at the North London club is keen for Sanchez to join Bayern Munich if he does indeed want to move away from Arsenal.

Sanchez’s destination could end up becoming one of the transfer sagas of this transfer window.

#2 Marco Verratti to Barcelona

One of the best midfielders in world football at the moment, PSG star Marco Verratti has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona. The Italian midfielder is seen as a long-term heir to Xavi and reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the Italian has handed in a transfer request.

Veratti is expected to cost around £88 million and although the fee might look a bit steep, Ernesto Valverde and the Barcelona hierarchy are willing to go ahead with the deal as they seek to overhaul their lacklustre midfield.

Xavi himself believes that Verratti will be ideal for the Catalan giants:

“I love Verratti. I like his vision of the game. He never loses the ball. He would fit well in the Barca game,” he told Canal Football Club in 2015. “I'd like to see him at Barcelona.”

With the Italian himself pushing for a move, we might well see the 24-year-old playing with the likes of Messi, Neymar and Suarez next season.

#1 Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid

The name on everybody’s lips at the moment, Monaco superstar Kylian Mbappe is destined to achieve great things in this sport. In January 2016, Mbappe was yet to pen his first professional contract having played only once for the senior side.

Now, the French forward is subject to £100 million bids from various top clubs across Europe. Florentino Perez himself confirmed that Zidane was keeping tabs on the supremely talented 18-year-old.

“Zidane saw him when he was 16 years old. Zidane liked him a lot," Perez told Onda Cero.

"We weren't on the edge of signing him, because of his age. If it's a community player he can get to the club from 16 years and if not a community player, starting at 18. Mbappe has some very good ways and surely he'll become one of the greatest. We are following him, of course."

Real Madrid seldom get rejected and in all probability, we will have Mbappe donning the famous white jersey of Los Blancos next season.

These are the 8 blockbuster transfers which are most likely to happen. In the next page, we mention some other blockbuster names who could be on the move but are not as likely as these players. (A certain Cristiano Ronaldo is on that list).

Honourable mentions

The internet has gone into overdrive about Ronaldo’s future after he apparently made an “irreversible” decision to quit Madrid following his tax fraud case. However, Florentino Perez is confident about sorting the issue out and he has reportedly set aside time to resolve the issue about Ronaldo’s future once the Confederations cup is over.

Another major transfer which is very likely to get completed is Hector Bellerin’s move to Barcelona. The Arsenal defender’s parents have already shifted house from London and it only looks like a matter of time before the Catalans announce the arrival of the Spain U-21 international.

Dani Alves, Aubameyang, Salah and Mateo Kovacic are the other big names which could be on the move. Here are the other top transfer stories to keep an eye out for in this window:

Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United/PSG

Mateo Kovacic to Arsenal/Tottenham

Hector Bellerin to Barcelona

Arda Turan to Arsenal

Dani Alves to Manchester City

Mohamed Salah to Liverpool

Aubameyang to Liverpool/Manchester City/ Arsenal

Andrea Belotti to AC Milan/Chelsea

Which of these transfers do you think are most likely to get done in this transfer window? Let us know in the comments section.