Who should Europe's top clubs sign in the summer transfer window?
The European transfer window officially opens July 1, giving clubs just under two weeks to hatch their plans for the summer. Eleven of the biggest continental sides have plenty of needs to address. Below, theScore offers potential solutions to their biggest problems. To view our list of transfer needs for the Premier League's top clubs, tap here.
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La Liga 🇪🇸
Atletico Madrid
Biggest need(s): Left-back, midfielder, center-back
Target(s): Andy Robertson, Alex Baena, Cristian Romero
Failure to win a trophy last season will likely lead to some changes to Diego Simeone's squad, as Atletico Madrid spent big last summer but fell short in all three major competitions.
The downfall started in the Champions League against rivals Real Madrid and continued in La Liga where a costly beatdown against Barcelona evaporated their title hopes. Shortly after, Barca knocked them out of the Copa del Rey in the semifinals.
After spending close to €200 million on signings last summer, Atletico will need to be creative to improve their squad this year on a more limited budget. Signing a new left-back is near the top of their list, with Liverpool's Andy Robertson believed to be their main target. In midfield, playmaker Alex Baena is an exciting candidate after providing 16 La Liga goal contributions last term with Villarreal. Atletico could turn to Tottenham's Cristian Romero, a player seemingly tailor-made for Simeone, to improve what has suddenly become an underwhelming crop of center-backs.
Barcelona
Biggest need(s): Forward depth
Target(s): Nico Williams, Luis Diaz, Marcus Rashford
There isn't a whole lot Barcelona can do to improve their squad, which exceeded expectations last season. Real Madrid were supposed to leave Hansi Flick's men in the dust. Instead, Barcelona never looked back after storming out of the gates, ultimately winning a domestic treble. But in order to repeat as Spanish champions and conquer Europe at the same time, the Catalans, who've already signed goalkeeper Joan Garcia from local rivals Espanyol, need to add some depth in one key area.
Barcelona have been interested in providing cover on the wings for stars Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who combined to play 112 games this past season. But adding their top target, Luis Diaz, has proved difficult because Liverpool want to keep the Colombia international. Manchester United's Marcus Rashford is another possibility after he was banished by coach Ruben Amorim and spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.
Barcelona are now trying to scrounge up enough money for Athletic Bilbao and Spain star Nico Williams, who has informed other interested teams that his preference is to join Barca and link up with international teammate Yamal. The 22-year-old has reportedly agreed to terms on a six-year contract with the La Liga champions, but Barca are yet to strike a deal with Athletic.
Real Madrid
Biggest need(s): Left-back, center-back, midfielder
Target(s): Martin Zubimendi, Ibrahima Konate, Alvaro Carreras
Real Madrid appear to be busy working on another blockbuster deal for a defender in order to avoid having another injury crisis derail their season. Rising star Dean Huijsen was brought to the Spanish capital to provide defensive cover for the foreseeable future, and Madrid are reportedly looking to upgrade their backline further by potentially signing Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate.
Los Blancos are also in the market for a left-back. They're close to signing Benfica's Alvaro Carreras but will have to wait until after the Portuguese side's Club World Cup campaign.
And, with Luka Modric's legendary Madrid career coming to an end this summer, the club could also look to add another midfielder to Xabi Alonso's squad, even with teen phenom Franco Mastantuono set to arrive in August. Martin Zubimendi has been linked but looks set to join Arsenal, while Madrid are still debating whether to exercise their buyback option on Nico Paz, the 20-year-old Argentine who just enjoyed a breakout season at Como.
Serie A 🇮🇹
AC Milan
Biggest need(s): Full-backs, midfielders
Target(s): Oleksandr Zinchenko, Javi Guerra, Granit Xhaka, Luka Modric
AC Milan have already sold midfield linchpin Tijjani Reijnders and could flog some of their spare parts, including Yunus Musah, Malick Thiaw, and Fikayo Tomori, before the summer is over. It remains to be seen whether goalkeeper Mike Maignan and left-back Theo Hernandez, two of Milan's last remaining players from their 2022 Scudetto-winning squad, will find new clubs as well.
It's unlikely anyone will come up with the money to pry Rafael Leao from Milan, but there's no doubt about the rebuilding process unfolding. That's their reality after finishing in eighth place and missing out on Champions League football.
The entire defense needs work, and if Hernandez and center-backs Thiaw and Tomori leave, Milan could find themselves with a brand new back four. The Rossoneri have reportedly held talks with Arsenal veteran Oleksandr Zinchenko about a potential transfer and have also been linked with Granit Xhaka and Luka Modric as they look to bring in experience. Valencia's Javi Guerra, 22, is one of the youngest players on their wish list. The idea here is to create a blend of youth and leadership.
Inter Milan
Biggest need(s): Center-back, forward
Target(s): Cristhian Mosquera, Koni De Winter, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Rasmus Hojlund
As Inter shook off the embarrassment of losing 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, they came to realize their cycle had ended and that a new one must begin. Oaktree Capital Management, the U.S. hedge fund that assumed control of the club last summer, knew the roster was too old to keep together and already sanctioned moves for 23-year-old Brazilian playmaker Luis Henrique and 21-year-old pivot Petar Sucic.
With Stefan De Vrij potentially leaving on a free transfer, Yann Bisseck reportedly pushing for a transfer, and Francesco Acerbi turning 38 next February, the Nerazzurri will have to inject some youth into their backline. Genoa's 23-year-old Koni De Winter is the most attractive option given his versatility and composure for his age. Valencia's 20-year-old Cristhian Mosquera is the object of much desire across European football and likely to draw a bidding war.
The squad requires more depth to truly compete on all fronts and doesn't have nearly enough of it in the center-forward position. Backups Joaquin Correa and Marko Arnautovic are gone, and Mehdi Taremi is likely to follow them out. Inter could find space for Sebastian Esposito, who scored eight Serie A goals while on loan at Empoli last season, or bet on a prospect like Parma's 21-year-old striker Ange-Yoan Bonny. They could also go for a bigger name like Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund.
Juventus
Biggest need(s): Striker, center-back
Target(s): Jonathan David, Victor Osimhen, Pietro Comuzzo, Giovanni Leoni
In what's becoming a recurring theme, Juventus enter the summer in a state of flux. The front office has been overhauled again, and new general manager Damien Comolli is still in the process of finding a sporting director after Cristiano Giuntoli was sent packing.
Within the existing squad, the future of Dusan Vlahovic is the biggest albatross that must be dealt with. The Serbian is entering the final season of his contract, and Juve are keen to cash in this summer to avoid losing him for free. The Bianconeri, who are trying to extend Randal Kolo Muani's loan, have been linked with free-agent striker Jonathan David for months but face plenty of competition and are stumbling over the high bonus figures and agent fees reportedly being requested by the Canadian's camp. Victor Osimhen is also being considered, but Napoli would almost certainly rather sell him abroad.
In defense, the impending return of star center-back Gleison Bremer from an ACL tear should bring much-needed stability, but the Brazilian will need time to get back up to full speed after such a lengthy absence. With club icon Giorgio Chiellini taking on a more influential role within the front office, Juve are said to be looking to mold the backline in his image, targeting young Italian defenders like Giovanni Leoni (18) and Pietro Commuzzo (20) who can develop into long-term leaders. Landing either would be an excellent addition, especially since manager Igor Tudor prefers to play with three center-backs.
Napoli
Biggest need(s): Wingers, striker
Target(s): Noa Lang, Alejandro Garnacho, Edon Zhegrova, Dan Ndoye, Jonathan David, Darwin Nunez
Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis nearly lost the man who delivered the club's second Serie A title in three seasons. But Antonio Conte decided to stay put, coaxing a number of guarantees out of De Laurentiis, including a big enough transfer budget to bolster his side ahead of their Champions League return. Kevin De Bruyne has already arrived as a free agent from Manchester City along with 20-year-old defensive prospect Luca Marianucci.
With Napoli set to sell Victor Osimhen for around €75 million, De Laurentiis will have much more money to spend. They'll need to reinvest some of that in the left-wing position, where David Neres struggled to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's production following his January move to Paris Saint-Germain. PSV Eindhoven's Noa Lang and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho are the top options. Lille's 26-year-old right-winger, Edon Zhegrova, has also been linked as a potential substitute for Matteo Politano, while a move for Bologna standout Dan Ndoye is being considered, too.
Finally, there's Jonathan David, the most valuable free agent on the market, according to Transfermarkt. The Canadian striker is an English and French speaker who'd mesh well with De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. Most importantly, he's a tireless off-the-ball runner who'd satisfy Conte. Links with Darwin Nunez won't go away, either.
Bundesliga 🇩🇪
Bayer Leverkusen
Biggest need(s): Replacing Florian Wirtz's goals and assists
Target(s): Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Brahim Diaz
Liverpool-bound playmaker Florian Wirtz is irreplaceable, but Bayer Leverkusen must try to replace the attacking penetration he and, to a lesser extent, Jeremie Frimpong provided for Xabi Alonso. Erik ten Hag is now at the helm and has the unenviable task of following the most successful era in the club's history.
Ten Hag repeatedly signed his former players when he was in charge of Manchester United, so there's potential for him to repeat this (often unsuccessful) trick in North Rhine-Westphalia. Brazilian winger Antony appears rejuvenated from his half-season loan spell with Real Betis and has played under Ten Hag at two different clubs, while Alejandro Garnacho has reportedly fallen out with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim and will be available for transfer this summer.
The recent signing of teenage defender Axel Tape indicates Leverkusen's recruitment may extend beyond Ten Hag's contact book, though. Pursuing Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz and Manchester City's James McAtee, two players presumably desperate to prove they can be the main creative force for a leading club, would make a lot of sense. A move for Jack Grealish, McAtee's teammate who was omitted from Pep Guardiola's Club World Cup squad, would be costly, but Leverkusen could try to get him on loan.
Bayern Munich
Biggest need(s): Attacking midfielder, winger
Target(s): Eberechi Eze, Kaoru Mitoma, Bradley Barcola, Nico Williams
Bayern Munich have been forced to shift their focus after Wirtz resisted their advances in favor of a reported record transfer to Liverpool. There's a drop in talent after the Leverkusen attacking midfielder, but Bayern should still be able to improve if they can land targets such as Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze and Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma. Both enjoyed breakout campaigns in the Premier League and could be enticed by the prospects of playing in the Champions League.
The Bundesliga champions are also looking to fill the void left by Leroy Sane, with Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola a candidate to replace the Galatasaray-bound winger. Barcola was red-hot for PSG at the start of last season, scoring 10 goals in the opening 11 games before tailing off near the end. The 22-year-old could be expendable after 20-year-old winger Desire Doue established himself as a first-team star and scored in the Champions League final to help PSG win.
Bayern are also interested in Nico Williams, but face an uphill battle to land the Spaniard, who seemingly wants to join Barcelona.
Borussia Dortmund
Biggest need(s): Midfielder, wing-back
Target(s): Lucien Agoume, Ardon Jashari, Anthony Caci
Considering how much of the season played out, Borussia Dortmund's Champions League qualification on the Bundesliga's final day was unexpected. Head coach Niko Kovac turned a summer where Dortmund would need to sell to survive into one where they can now hope to build a title challenger, but they'll need to get their transfer business right.
Cashing in on Jamie Gittens may seem counterintuitive, but the 20-year-old spent a lot of time on the substitutes' bench under Kovac due to his mediocre defensive work. Chelsea's interest could result in a sizable windfall. They could use that income to supplement Jobe Bellingham's arrival with a midfielder such as Sevilla's Lucien Agoume or Club Brugge's Ardon Jashari to strengthen the side's spine and make it less reliant on elder statesmen Emre Can, Marcel Sabitzer, and Pascal Gross.
Kovac settled on a 3-4-2-1 formation near the end of last season, so a specialist wing-back like Mainz's Anthony Caci could also be a shrewd signing.
Ligue 1 🇫🇷
Paris Saint-Germain
Biggest need(s): Center-back
Target(s): Illia Zabarnyi, Kim Min-jae, Joel Ordonez
Paris Saint-Germain's backline should be the envy of Europe. Full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes could be the world's best in their respective positions, Willian Pacho was a revelation in the heart of the defense, and Marquinhos is an influential figure who's survived several rebuilds in the French capital.
But the European champions still need to strengthen this department. Marquinhos, 31, started just 56% of PSG's Ligue 1 matches, Lucas Beraldo barely played in the Champions League, and veteran Presnel Kimpembe is vulnerable to injuries and errors. Illia Zabarnyi would be costly at around €60 million, but he's still only 22 and had a strong season under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth. A Kim Min-jae reclamation project could be appealing and affordable after two largely unimpressive campaigns with Bayern Munich.
However, the best of the bunch could be Joel Ordonez, Pacho's defensive partner for Ecuador, who progressed through Independiente del Valle's thriving academy and Club Brugge's ranks to become one of the finest young defenders on the planet.