The end of the season is just a month away. And clubs have already started working on their summer transfer targets, their alternatives and replacements in case one of their key players are leaving.
This summer in particular promises to be an all-action one because most of the top clubs in Europe need to strengthen in key positions and a domino effect can be expected, especially with respect to strikers.
When clubs intend to sign players at the peak of their powers or youngsters whose immense potential is already on display on the world stage, the parent clubs always play hardball and as a result, the interested club needs to empty its coffers to secure the player. This more often than not results in the breaking of the transfer record for the most expensive player ever bought.
Also Read: 5 clubs that have broken the transfer record repeatedly
This trend has been present since club football began and every summer presents an opportunity to shatter the existing record. Last year, Paul Pogba became the most expensive player when he joined Manchester United from Juventus for a reported €100 million at that point in time.
So, for this summer, here are the 5 clubs in a great position to break Pogba’s transfer record.
#5 Shanghai SIPG
The product of aggressive Chinese expansion into football, Shanghai SIPG are the third-most valuable club in China and the only team outside Europe who has a chance to break the transfer record.
China has been investing massively to become a major footballing country and due to a restriction on the number of foreign players allowed in the starting XI (initially four and now changed to three), it made economic sense to buy recognised international stars to both improve marketing revenue off the pitch as well as help the team perform better.
Also Read: Why a move to China makes sense for some footballers
This has led to top European players switching to China for exorbitant fees and salaries. Shanghai SIPG have recently broken the Asian transfer record by signing Chelsea and Brazilian playmaker Oscar for €60 million in January. Prior to this transfer, they had signed Brazilian wide-man Hulk for €55 million.
Players prefer to move in the summer when compared to January and in the current scenario, the move can also imply the player has the chance to become a legend in a country while earning big bucks, which is definitely a lure. So, Shanghai SIPG, who are yet to win the Chinese Super League crown, can be expected to make a big splash for signing that one final player who can help Andre-Villas Boas, the manager, guide the team to the title.
#4 Paris Saint-Germain
Backed by Qatari owners, Oryx Qatari Sports International, PSG are one of the wealthiest clubs in world football since the takeover in 2011. This saw a major rise in the footballing ability of the team and helped them become a dominant force in France while giving them the quality to compete with European powerhouses such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Every season since the arrival of big-spending owners, the French club has splashed in excess of €40 million on players such as Javier Pastore, Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura, Julian Draxler, David Luiz, Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani with the last two two costing more than €60 million.
This shows that Les Parisiens are not hesitant to break the bank if needed. Their recent 4-0 thrashing of Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg signalled a coming of age but their subsequent 1-6 loss in the second leg showed they have still some way to go. The capital club can now be expected to bolster their ranks further to win the highly-coveted Champions League.
They have been linked with Barcelona’s Neymar for quite some time now and this summer they can be expected to make a stronger pursuit for one of the best players in the world. In the past, they were also rumoured to be interested in Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
Also Read: Paris Saint-Germain director not ruling out signing Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi
Further, after the drubbing in Barcelona this season, their sporting director Patrick Kluivert did not even rule out signing Lionel Messi, which just shows the financial muscle of the club and therefore they have a good chance of breaking the transfer record in the summer.
#3 Chelsea
Another club that rose to prominence in this century after the arrival of Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire in 2003 is Chelsea. The Blues, in recent years have become a consistent title challenger in England and a force to reckon in Europe. They have also garnered success in Europe, winning the Champions League in 2012 and the Europa League in 2013.
After a setback last season, Chelsea have again bounced back and are in pole position to win the Premier League under the stewardship of Antonio Conte. Further, the Blues will be back playing in the Champions League as well and therefore will look to bolster the squad in the summer.
Also Read: Five strikers who could join Chelsea in the summer transfer window
The London club have never hesitated in splashing the money when a player is wanted at the club and this year, they are in a good position to break the transfer record with the likes of Torino’s Andrea Belotti, who has a €100 million release clause and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, who is one of the hottest young strikers in world football, on their radar.
To add to this, Real Madrid courting Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois could mean more money will be spent to sign their replacements.
#2 Manchester United
Manchester United are the current holders of the title of having made the most expensive transfer till date with former youth player Paul Pogba joining the club from Juventus last summer. After a season that is in the balance as they fight for a Champions League spot next season through both league position and as Europa League winners, United are already linked with a number of top players to join them in the summer.
The knee injury to Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to keep him out for most of the year and this has accelerated United’s pursuits to find a world-class goalscorer to lead the line. Although Jose Mourinho has an ageing Wayne Rooney and young strikers in Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in his ranks, none of them is considered a viable prospect to play up top for an entire season while competing on all fronts for a club with Manchester United’s stature.
As a result, United have been linked with top goalscorers from many clubs such as the likes of Neymar, Belotti, and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, who is reported to be their main transfer target.
Also Read: Griezmann considering Manchester United and Real Madrid offers
As confirmed by Atletico manager Diego Simeone in January, meeting Griezmann’s release clause is a must for his sale and that figure is reported to be €100 million for the Frenchman. As a result, if the Red Devils cough up the money, combining it with add-ons and agent fees, this could easily become the world’s most expensive transfer and the English club will break their own record.
In fact, signing any of the above strikers is bound to break the record and in this way, United can both make a statement for the second year in running and also hold on to the record for at least one more year as well.
#1 Real Madrid
If there is one club who is known for constantly breaking transfer records and buying the best players in the world in recent history, it is Spanish side Real Madrid. So, it can be expected that they will be itching to get back that title from Manchester United who became the first club in 21st century to displace Madrid’s name at the top of the most expensive transfer list.
Since 2000, the transfers of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to Real Madrid have broken the previous transfer record until Pogba’s transfer fee climbed to the top. Adding to that, Madrid are looking at a major summer overhaul and are reported to be interested in city rivals Atletico Madrid’s Antione Griezmann, Monaco’s budding superstar Kylian Mbappe, Juventus’ jewel Paulo Dybala and Chelsea’s Belgian wizard Eden Hazard.
Also Read: Reports: Real Madrid set to bid £120 million for Barcelona's top target
Playing for Real Madrid is an experience unlike any other, making them one of the most popular clubs in the world. This is the reason players find their advances hard to reject and therefore Madrid always tend to have the best chance of shattering the transfer record.
Every attacker they are linked to are high-profile players who will cost a fortune. Knowing Madrid’s financial clout, as they are always among the richest clubs in the world, Los Blancos are in prime position to bring the spotlight back on them this summer with a record-breaking transfer. In this process, they can reclaim their top spot from Manchester United and once again be known as the club who has executed the costliest transfer in football history.
