The future of Fernando Torres has been called into question many times this season, and with Chelsea wrapping up their Premier League third place finish, Roman Abramovich may axe the Spaniard. The Blues have already brought in Demba Ba whom is still in the process of adapting to the Chelsea way; however, Torres seemingly is ready to welcome any additional striker that signs for the Blues this summer according to ESPN FC.
Antoine Griezmann of Real Sociedad (Google Creative Commons)
With the summer transfer window looming, clubs are beginning to make their preliminary interest in certain players known, trying to get a leg up on other clubs competing for these players' signatures. Italian giants AC Milan and English titans Arsenal have both been linked with French winger Antoine Griezmann, who is enjoying a phenomenal season in Spain for his club side Real Sociedad.
Bayern Munich midfielder Arjen Robben has denied any truth to the talk that he is a target of Manchester City.
Although the former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder got off to a rough start this season with Bayern, he was able to work his way back in to the starting lineup more consistently.
Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson embrace (Image via MUFC official website)
Transfer rumors continue to fly hot and fast for Manchester United star striker Wayne Rooney. As of May 18, 2013, the want-away forward has been linked all over Europe and continues to increase the amount of speculation around his future in England.
Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko (Image via MCFC official site)
Reports from TalkSport on May 18, 2013, are suggesting that the first major name set to leave Manchester City following the departure of manager Roberto Mancini could be star forward Edin Dzeko.
Dzeko was brought to the club in January of 2011 for the price tag of £27 million from German club Wolfsburg as he was continuing to top the Bundesliga goal scoring charts at the time.
Manchester United have held a long-term interest in Marouane Fellaini, but it seems that Chelsea are winning the race for the Belgian midfielder. Even the arrival of David Moyes may not help United secure the signing of the 25-year-old. As a result, they are thought to have other options on their list.
With Roberto Mancini sacked on Monday, speculation is rife that Málaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is set to take over at Manchester City. The Chilean coach wants to bring Spanish wonderkid Isco along with him with whom he also shares an agent.
Isco, a one-cap Spanish international, has previously been linked to Chelsea, Manchester United, PSG and Monaco and a summer move to Arsenal despite their £70million summer spending money but it now looks as though City have won the race for the attacking midfielder.
It is widely expected that Chelsea are set to welcome José Mourinho for his second spell at Stamford Bridge in the summer. During his first spell, Mourinho spent huge sums of money on several players like Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben, and John obi Mikel. They went on to become important players for the club.
Thomas Ince was the subject of constant speculation to rejoin Liverpool in January but the England Under-21 international looks set to stay with Blackpool for the time being.
Ince did express his desire to one day play in the Premier League, but at only 21, he knows that some kids make that step up too early and their development stifles because of it.
As the season is coming to an end, this year we saw both faces of AC Milan. We saw the good and the bad. The Rossoneri started the season off the wrong foot. This year AC had its worst start in 80 years. A team who is always a favorite was not reaching expectations; however, as the season developed the Rossoneri saw an incredible turnaround on their performances.
This has been somewhat of a "dream" season for Borussia Dortmund. The German team was not able to win the Bundesliga, however, they were able to make it to the UEFA Champions League final, a match that has yet to be played. In the final, they will face their fierce league rivals, Bayern Munich, who have already secured the league title.
The future of Frank Lampard has been up in the air for long, but finally there seems to be a conclusion in sights. The Chelsea man has said that the signs look increasingly promising that he will remain at the club next season. His contract runs out in just over a month's time. Lampard has been consistently saying that there has been no offer on the table up until now.
Christian Atsu of FC Porto (Google Creative Commons)
According to TalkSport on Wednesday may 15, 2013, reports claim that Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is looking to make a move for a former player of his from earlier in his career.
Two years ago Villas-Boas was still at the helm of Portuguese side FC Porto where he lead the Dragons to a treble of the UEFA Europa League title, Portuguese Cup and the Portuguese League title.
FC Porto forward Christian Atsu (Google Creative Commons)
According to TalkSport on May 15, 2013, despite having lost their boss David Moyes to Manchester United, Everton are already looking to make some additions this summer in anticipation of their next major transition.
Reports claim that the Merseyside club are looking to make a move for FC Porto winger Christian Atsu.
According to Talksport on May 15, 2013, Arsenal youngster Isaac Hayden is hoping that he can make a loan move to the English Championship next season in order to gain valuable experience.
The young Gunner is looking at Chelsea's 18-year-old Nathanial Chalobah as his inspiration for wanting a move next season according to quotes in Arsenal's official match day program for the Wigan Athletic game on Tuesday May 14, 2013:
As the end of domestic seasons loom all around Europe, the summer transfer window and all of its wonderful rumors and tidbits of news swarm and pellet every surface of social media outlets. One of the freshest chunks of news links two heavyweights of Europe: Real Madrid and Arsenal.
On Sunday, Palermo fell 1-0 to Fiorentina in a crucial match for top-flight survival. The result means that theRosanero will now be playing in Italy's second-tier professional league next season.
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini, the man who bought the club in 2002 and helped bring them into the Serie A, has conceded that they will be a struggle to hold onto the likes of Josip Ilicic and many of the club's star players now that the club has fallen to Serie B for next season.
Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol (Google Creative Commons)
Liverpool look set to bolster their defense this summer, with Brendan Rodgers keen to add depth to the back-line. The manager is rumored to be interested in signing Real Madrid's Raul Albiol, as well as Lille's Lucas Digne, and the deals may be imminent.
Arsenal can look forward to spending another £2 million in the summer transfer window, as they have just received this windfall from past sales. The Premier League outfit inserted clauses into the deal that took Cesc Fabregas to the Camp Nou. As a result of Barcelona winning the league title this season, Arsenal will be eligible to receive around £2 million in bonuses.
Lukasz Piszczek of Borussia Dortmund (Google Creative Commons)
Lukasz Piszczek is being hunted down by London's finest in order to replace Bacary Sagna this summer.
The 27-year-old Poland international has been an integral part of Borussia Dortmund' side this season. Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph reports that Arsene Wenger has requested several reports on Piszczek in the past few months, indicating that there is some interest in seeing the right-back at Arsenal if Sagna were to leave this summer.
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere (Google Creative Commons)
Arsenal are fighting for their UEFA Champions League qualification next season. They will face Wigan Athletic this afternoon of May 14, 2013, and there are already rumors flying as to what and or whom manager Arsene Wenger will be approaching this summer to keep the club on the up and up.
David Moyes knows that French international left back and current Manchester United defender Patrice Evra is not the long term solution for the club in that position. There is yet to really be a true successor to the Frenchman show his worth at the club.
Manchester United are reported to be looking at a shock transfer for former Arsenal star and current FC Barcelona midfielder, Cesc Fabregas. According to reports from the Independent on May 13, 2013, David Moyes is eying up Fabregas as a potential long term replacement for want away forward Wayne Rooney.
PSV Eindhoven manager Dick Advocaat will not have won any fans over after admitting that the time is right for star midfielder Kevin Strootman to leave the club in the summer.
PSV finished second in the Dutch Eredivisie this season courtesy of a better goal difference than third-placed Feyenoord.
Christian Eriksen of Ajax (Google Creative Commons)
With Mario Gotze set to join Bayern Munich on July 1st, for a fee of €37 million, Jurgen Klopp and Borussia Dortmund look primed to sign Gotze's replacement sooner rather than later.Die Borussen have been linked with numerous players including fellow German youngster Julian Draxler, who has recently recommitted himself to Schalke, Ajax star Christian Eriksen, and most recently Atletico Mineiro youngster Bernard.
Take nothing away from Wigan Athletic's gritty and energetic performance to win the FA Cup in stoppage time but Manchester City had the tools to handle matters fairly easily, but once again faltered. Roberto Mancini and the Citizens will end this season in disappointment. After a glorious finish to last seasons Premier League title chase for City, the Manchester club will head into the summer without any trophies, and possibly without Mancini.
Manchester City have had a rough season even with the club set to finish second in the English Premier League. According to the Telegraph's Mark Ogden on May 12, 2013, the Manchester side are rumored to be set to sack their manager in the next few days.
It was today revealed that Wayne Rooney certainly did hand in a transfer request recently, and his actions resulted in him being omitted from Sir Alex Ferguson's final home game of his career. Speaking to the BBC, Ferguson confirmed Rooney's actions and quickly responded to the club's reaction."We have refused it.
Radamel Falcao of Atletico Madrid (Wikipedia Commons)
A television station in Spain, La Sexta, has reported that Colombian superstar Falcao, the man widely considered as the world's best true striker, will move to French club AS Monaco for a staggering fee of €60 million. Falcao has been linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid for what seems like an eternity with Chelsea or Manchester City the seemingly probable destinations but if reports are true, the South American hitman has preferred a move to nouveau rich Monaco who are set to be promoted to Ligue 1.
Tottenham have long been in the shadows of Arsenal, but the last few years have seen a seismic shift in the fortunes of the club. They have not only made it into the Champions League group stages for the first time in their history, but they are also closer to repeating the feat this season. Tottenham's challenge for a top four spot began a couple of years ago under Harry Redknapp, and they have proven that it was not a one-off.
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney (Wikimedia Commons)
SWOL's look at the top Premier League players that could transfer this summer has taken in defenders and midfielders, and now we take a look at five strikers who might be on the move.
From an erratic but outrageously talented African forward who continues to perplex to an England star perhaps in need of a new challenge, here are the top attacking talents who's futures are worth tracking this summer.
After constantly playing second fiddle to Robin van Persie this season, it was only a matter of time before Wayne Rooney started expressing his displeasure.
This displeasure has been expressed by the striker in the form of a desire to leave Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail. Of course, it is not the first time Rooney has wanted to leave the club.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep Manchester United out of the headlines in the last few days. Even before the dust has settled after Ferguson's retirement, United are already in the headlines in trying to bring one of their former stars back to Old Trafford. It has been four years since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is fair to say that the club has not forgotten the Portuguese.
Everton have today confirmed that manager David Moyes will leave the club in the summer after spending 11 seasons in charge. Moyes was hired in 2002 and soon became a fan favorite. Despite his limited budget, he was able to turn Everton into a Premier League staple and constantly compete for spots in the top half of the table.
Frank Lampard has become an institution for Chelsea since his transfer from West Ham United in 2001. He's featured a fantastic 201 times in the Premier League for Chelsea and scored 139 goals for the Blues in the Premier League. The London-born star it reaching a crossroads in his career, however, and his future has been the topic of much debate this season.
Christian Eriksen of Ajax (Google Creative Commons)
After Bayern Munich announced the signing of Mario Gotze, many football fans started to wonder who would be chosen to replace the German star at Borussia Dortmund.
The news of the Gotze transfer came at the wrong time as Borussia Dortmund was only days away from facing Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals.
Wenger drops hint about bringing in top, top, top, players
The war of words has been raging ahead of this Sunday's make or break, last-day round of Premiership matches. We've had to endure reading and listening to an endless stream of pundits with their various predictions about which north London team will hold their nerve and claim the coveted fourth Champions League spot.
While many people last week were discussing the situation of Mexican international Javier Chicharito Hernandez at Manchester United, another Mexican player made headlines. Hector Herrera, in an interview with Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, stated he'd be joining FC Porto in Portugal next season.
These should be exciting times for all Arsenal followers. Yes, I know there's that small matter of having to win our final two Premiership matches, but that detail aside, we'll be entering a summer with, by all accounts, a healthy transfer coffer, and a realistic chance of attracting some prime footballing talent to The Emirates.
