2017/2018 SUMMER TRANSFERS

So after the season we just had, what are the potential transfers this summer? Which areas do clubs need to strengthen in? Which players will be dropped?
The transfer period has been abuzz with possible deals and plenty of gossip. There have been transfers already but there's a feeling the real big ones are yet to be seen. We are still watching the curtain raisers in preparation for the main event.
As teams prepare to begin pre-season next week, the transfer period activity is set to go up a notch.
Champion's Chelsea look set to wrap up the reported £35m signing of Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Blues have already completed the signing of former Man City keeper Willy Caballero on a free transfer to fill the gap left by Asmir Begovic. Antonio Conte is keen on strengthening his squad in preparation for the defense of their EPL title as well as next season's Champion's League.
As well as bringing in reinforcements, Conte will be desperate to hold onto his big names, some of whom have been linked with other clubs. The most likely departure looks to be Diego Costa with Atletico Madrid looking the most likely destination. Antoine Griezman's decision to stay with Atletico might have however put some doubt on Costa's departure. Should he leave, it would leave a big hole for Chelsea to fill. Despite being a firebrand with aggresive personality, there is no doubting his ability in front of goal evidenced by his 52 goals in 89 appearances for the Blues. But while the Blues seem prepared to lose Costa, they will be desperate to hold on to Eden Hazard. Real Madrid have been longtime admirers of the Blues winger and it remains to be seen what would happen if they made a solid bid for him. It would take a huge bid to prise Hazard from the Blues and Real Madrid are one of the few clubs who would afford it. Nemanja Matic is also linked with a move away from Chelsea with Mourinho looking to link up with his former player at United. Would Chelsea sell a key player to a direct Premiership rival? 
Chelsea will also be looking to fill the gap left by legendary Captain John Terry who looks set to join Aston Villa after being released. It does look like majority of transfer activity for Chelsea will depend on whether they keep hold of their key players. If they manage to hold on to them then there might not be a lot of activity. However should any of the key players depart, it would potentially set off a series of transfer activity. Departures of Hazard or Costa would even see Chelsea put up a strong bid for Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.

Manchester City have been relatively active in the transfer market so far. Bernado Silva has been signed from Monaco for £43m, while Goalkeeper Ederson has arrived from Monaco for a world record Goalkeeper's fee of £35m. That has led to the departure of Willy Caballero for Chelsea as Ederson and Claudio Bravo battle for the keeper position. That also puts to rest any remote chance of Joe Hart returning to the club. Pablo Zabaleta has left and it does look like he will be followed out by a few other defensive players like Sagna. 
Bernado Silva's arrival could also lead to the departure of Nolito.
City have continued to be linked to Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.That has been one of the summer's big transfer rumours and  it's an interesting one to keep an eye on. City though do have a good attacking squad as it is. In attack they probably have one of the best squads in Europe. Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan will both feel like new signings after playing only a handful of games last season. 
In defense though, Guardiola will still have a lot of work to do. Kompany's waning influence mainly because of injuries, John Stones inconsistencies, and the aging Kolarov, Clichy and Sagna means Guardiola will have a lot of rebuilding to do. That is their soft underbelly.

Liverpool have signed Mohamed Salah for £34m but they will need more if they are to again at least compete for the EPL as well as do well in the Champion's League.
They will need at least a big defender to replace the out of favor Mamadou Sakho, cover for Milner and Clyne at the fullback positions, a holding midfielder and another Striker. What Klopp can be assured of is that he will get the financial backing to strengthen the squad. 
Another area Liverpool might look to strengthen is the Goalkeeping position with Karius and Mignolet not yet looking like holding down the position. It's still a puzzle why Liverpool didn't move in for Hart last season. There are some good goalkeepers around and Liverpool should make a move for the likes of Donnaruma and Rui Patricio.

Tottenham will be hoping to go one better in the EPL having been close the last 2 seasons. They will also be looking to do much better in the Champion's League and avoid another early exit like last season. They will need to add to the depth of their squad in order to challenge in both fronts. Spurs have a good squad and what Pochettino has been able to do is to motivate his players while getting his team selections spot on. Spurs have also benefited from the good forms of their key players among them Harry Kane, Delle Ali, Eriksen, Wanyama, and Dier. Whether they can do it again remains to be seen. There has always been doubt that should Spurs suffer injuries to their key men they would struggle but last season they managed well with long term injuries to Rose and Walker as well as Kane. One downside for Spurs last season was the form of their striker Vincent Janssen who returned 2 goals in 27 appearances. The only reason his poor form wasn't highlighted much was because other players notably Son and Alli stepped up and provided the goals when Kane was missing. He will need a big season.

Manchester United have reinforced their defence with Victor Lindelof joining from Benfica. That might spell the end of either Jones or Smalling. Mourinho will be looking to form a solid central defence partnership between Lindelof and Bailly. Luke Shaw will be looking to reclaim his left back position for both United and England ahead of next year's world cup. He is facing a key season. Valencia looks to have secured the right back position and with Rojo, Blind, Darmian, Smalling, Jones, Tuanzebe and Mensah, United have good defensive cover. One player that might move on is Ashley Young who has been a good servant over the years.
In midfield Mourinho is looking to add a defensive midfield partner for Herrera to eventually replace Carrick. United have been linked with Nemanja Matic and Monaco's Fabinho who is also wanted by PSG. Fabinho would be an excellent prospect considering he can cover in defense as well.
Upfront United desperately need to sign a striker to replace Ibrahimovic as well as Rooney who might have played his last match at United. Griezman looked the most likely to come to Old Trafford until his decision to stay at Atletico. United continue to be linked with Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku although the asking price for the former by Real Madrid might prevent any move. 

Arsenal are having difficulties attracting quality talent with no Champion's League football on offer next season. Kylie Mbappe at some point looked to be heading to the Emirates but at the moment Real Madrid and PSG look the most likely destinations. With Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil stalling in signing their new contracts and with City and Chelsea hovering over Sanchez, it is not a good summer for the Gunners so far. However, there has been positive movement in their pursuit of Lyon's Lacazette and should they wrap up the signing, it will be a massive confidence booster at the Emirates.

It is bound to get even more interesting in the transfer market for the next few weeks.