Summer Transfer Window Goals for England's Top Teams

The time has come again, the summer transfer window will open in July. However, this being a World Cup year, business will be done differently this year than in most years. The competition will likely keep transfer activity slow in the early going but expect loads of moving and shuffling as soon as it ends. Some teams have gotten started early despite this so lets look at the transfer outlook for each of the Premier League's top teams. Let's start with the newly minted champions: Manchester City

Manchester City

Goal: Keep Yaya Youre

Toure's recent comments have created doubts about his future at City

Safe to say, there are not many areas where Manchester City actually needs to strengthen. They have the best midfield pairing in the league, the deepest pool of strikers, and a solid back line. The only player who has had a real strong link to City is Arsenal right back Bacary Sagna who announced today he would not be re-signing with the Gunners. There could be some action for City as they try to improve at left back as well. Manchester City's offseason will be more about retaining players rather than going out and buying them. Yaya Toure's comments in the past week have put the team on high alert. City really cannot afford to lose Toure who has been their standout player since his arrival in 2010. Toure recently commented that "it would be an honor to play for PSG". In addition, City might lose James Milner and Edin Dzeko if they are not careful. Rumours about Sergio Aguero will always be rampant and there is always the chance that Real Madrid comes calling for the classy striker. Finally, City will also have to deal with the sanctions brought down on them for violating UEFA's Financial Fair Play Policy. Other than the Toure saga however, it should be a rather quiet summer for the champions.

Liverpool

Goals: Get the team prepared for Champions League, keep Luis Suarez

Rodgers must have his team ready for UCL play

The advantage that Liverpool had over the other top teams in the league this season was that they did not have to play Champions League football or Europa League. That meant that their players could get plenty of rest in between league games which only helped their blistering attack. However, next season the Reds are in Europe which means their already thin squad will need bolstering. Help in the midfield will definitely be appreciated as Lucas Leiva could be on his way out. A strong defensive midfielder could be the last missing piece the team needs. Someone like Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez perhaps? In addition, manager Brendan Rodgers could potentially be looking to bolster his shaky backline this window as well. Improving squad depth is paramount as well as stocking the bench with attacking options, something Liverpool lacked this past season. Southampton's Adam Lallana and QPR's Loic Remy have already been labeled as targets. However, Brendan Rodgers is often unpredictable during the transfer window. Lastly, despite Real Madrid's claims that they are not interested in Suarez it is very likely that the European Champions will make a bid this summer. Suarez has already said that he plans to remain with Liverpool for the foreseeable future but Real Madrid often have a knack for getting their man. Watch this space.

Chelsea

Goal: Find a star striker

All signs point to Costa being on his way to Chelsea

Chelsea's quest to find the star striker to go along with their excellent midfield may finally be over as recent reports suggest that Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa is on his way to Stamford Bridge. However, counting one's chickens before they hatch is always a dangerous game. Even if Costa lands at Stamford Bridge it is likely that Mourinho still kicks the tires on PSG's Edinson Cavani and AS Monaco's Radamel Falcao. This will also follow the exodus of Samuel Eto'o and Fernando Torres away from the club as Mourinho continues to shape the team in his image. There are also reports that Eden Hazard could be tempted away from the club after recent comments hinted at a rocky relationship with Mourinho. Even so, it is unlikely Hazard goes anywhere. Chelsea today also agreed to sign Atletico Madrid's Tiago on a free transfer, giving Mourinho another bus parking weapon.

Arsenal

Goals: Get a striker, replace Bacary Sagna

Wenger has talked big about his spending power

I already covered some of this in my Arsenal season review but I'll continue that dialogue here. One thing to know about Arsenal in transfers is that the players that the media links them to are often not the ones they are really after. Other than Lukas Podolski's transfer to the club two years ago, it is rare to see the media give concrete reports about Arsene Wenger's plans until the day of the transfer. Wenger and the Arsenal execs have been bragging about the team's ability to spend, that they could afford any player other than the Messi, Ronaldo, Bale upper stratosphere. Arsenal's need for a striker is hardly recent news in fact it has been the story of the season. Arsenal has been linked to just about every striker 'on the market': Diego Costa, Mario Mandzukic, Karim Benzema, Loic Remy, and Carlos Vela. Other reports have the Gunners chasing defensive midfield talents such as Bayern's Javi Martinez, Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin, or Real Madrid's Sami Khedira all of whom would add steel to the heart of Arsenal's midfield. The current pressing issue however is who will replace the departing Bacary Sagna. Toulouse's Serge Aurier has been a constant link and Wenger is known to be a big fan of Dortmund's Lukasz Piszczek as well. Should be an interesting summer for the Gunners.

Everton

Goal: Retain or replace their loanees, keep their core

Can Everton hold on to Ross Barkley?

Losing Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry, and Gerard Deulofeu will be a huge loss for this Everton team. Already looking at the gloomy prospect of competing in the Europa League, Roberto Martinez will need to bolster his thin side. Previous manager David Moyes made a living off of bargain signings and Martinez could very well do the same. Retaining Lukaku is of the utmost importance but odds are he lands back at Chelsea. Perhaps a move for Manchester United's Danny Welbeck could be in the cards. Everton will also have to contend with other sides coming after their players as well. Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman, and Leighton Baines should all see heavy amount of interest this offseason. Everton is the big wild card in the transfer market being the top team with the least spending power. If they can retain their loanees and then bolster the squad on top of that, they will consider this a successful summer.

Tottenham Hotspur

Goal: Stability

Daniel Levy may be wise to lay off the spending this window

Tottenham have been big movers and shakers over the past two seasons. However, despite flashy moves in the transfer market they haven't exactly closed the gap between them and the upper echelon of the Premier League. That being said it could be tempting for the Spurs top brass to shake things up again. However, that would also be the wrong thing to do. Spurs have a chance to develop some consistency in their squad and have a fresh start with new manager Mauricio Pochettino. The roster isn't suited for his style yet but based on how constant turnover has only crippled Spurs in the past it might be wise to shake things up as little as possible. Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, and Erik Lamela are good players that will no doubt improve next year. Massive roster turnover would only hurt the team again/ That being said, Spurs could still improve in some areas, most notably defense and at striker. Pochettino's hiring could also open up the Southampton player market to them so they may bid for Luka Shaw or Adam Lallana. Reports also have them interested in Loic Remy as well.

Manchester United

Goal: Win back credibility

Van Gaal must better his predecessor this window

Man U's past season goes without saying, it was rather awful. Awesome for everyone who wasn't a fan of them, but living hell for everyone at the club and everyone who supports the club. The appointment of Louis van Gaal as manager should immediately restore the credibility vacuum that was left when Sir Alex Ferguson left and David Moyes took over. Man U players have already commented on how van Gaal has already brought that credibility back to the club. Now Man U must have a successful transfer window, this means the cleaning out of the deadwood and elderly players. It also means that the club must land one or two big transfers. Defensive midfield appears to be where the club needs help the most so expect the club to spend there as well as reinforcing their shaky back line. Early reports say that Southampton left back Luke Shaw is on his way to Old Trafford but similar to Chelsea's Diego Costa situation; anything could happen.