[ad_1]
– July 23: Celtic; Chapel Hill, North Carolina
– July 27: AC Milan; New York
– July 30: Barcelona; Orlando, Florida
– Aug. 3: Chelsea; Columbus, Ohio
With manager Erik ten Hag having signed a new contract, United’s summer will be dictated by the specific needs in terms of squad rebuilding. While every coach will have different requirements, last season’s eighth-place showing in the Premier League — United’s lowest finish since 1990 — highlighted areas of weakness that must be addressed no matter who is in charge.
United simply need reinforcements in every department of the squad. Raphaël Varane’s exit as a free agent means a new centre-half is high on the agenda, while younger, more durable midfielders are required to bolster a problem area on the team. With Sofyan Amrabat returning to Fiorentina at the end of his loan spell and Casemiro expected to leave, United clearly need new blood in midfield. Up front, United need at least one experienced striker to ease the load on Rasmus Højlund, in terms of both goals and match rotation.
United have negotiated Dan Ashworth’s release from Newcastle United in order for him to start his role as director of football at Old Trafford. — Mark Ogden
– July 15: Rosenborg; Trondheim, Norway
– July 20: Rangers; Edinburgh, Scotland
– July 27: Arsenal; Los Angeles
– July 31: Real Betis; San Diego
– Aug. 3: Liverpool; Columbia, South Carolina
Ange Postecoglou wants to reshape his Tottenham squad this summer, and it has been reported that as many as 11 players could leave the club in order to raise funds and clear space on the wage bill for new signings.
Tanguy Ndombele and Joe Rodon have left, while Richarlison, Emerson Royal, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Giovani Lo Celso are among the experienced players that Postecoglou is ready to move on. Postecoglou wants players more capable of making his high-energy attacking game work, but there will also be a need to bolster his squad depth due to Spurs facing European commitments in the Europa League, having missed out on Europe entirely last season — Archie Gray from Leeds United is a notable early addition.
Tottenham’s priority will be to boost their attacking options having failed to sign a striker to replace Harry Kane last season. The goals of Son Heung-Min helped soften the blow of losing their talisman to Bayern Munich last August, but Postecoglou has now charged the club’s recruitment team with the difficult challenge of filling the gap left by Kane’s departure. — Ogden
– July 17: Hearts; Edinburgh, Scotland
– July 20: Queens Park Rangers; London, England
– July 27: Vissel Kobe; Tokyo, Japan
– July 31: K-League XI; Seoul, South Korea
– Aug. 3: Bayern Munich; Seoul, South Korea
– Aug. 10: Bayern Munich; London, England
“The club has to work. An important summer is coming.” Coach Diego Simeone — speaking after Atlético’s last game of the season — couldn’t have been much clearer.
A busy transfer window is expected at Atlético, with a major overhaul planned after a disappointing end to 2023-24. Yes, they finished fourth in LaLiga — the minimum requirement for a team that has aspired to much more in the past decade under Simeone — but some chastening results, including a 4-1 home defeat to Osasuna in May, highlighted the need for change.
A shake-up is expected in defence, midfield and attack, with a number of senior players departing. Sporting director Andrea Berta will look to build a new spine for the team, making signings in central defence, central midfield and at centre-forward. It will then be down to Simeone to blend those new faces with veterans who remain key players, like captain Koke and forward Antoine Griezmann. At the very least, Atlético will look to put themselves in a position to wrest the title of “LaLiga’s third team” back from Girona; at best, they’ll want to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for the title, as they did successfully in 2014 and 2021. –– Alex Kirkland
– July 27: Numancia; El Burgo de Osma
– Aug. 7: Kitchee SC; Hong Kong
– Aug. 11: Juventus; Gothenburg, Sweden
Barcelona go into the summer with a new coach after the confirmation that former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick has replaced Xavi Hernández. However, the change in manager does not massively change the team’s needs after a trophyless campaign. Addressing the lack of balance in midfield is the priority. Xavi said that was the team’s biggest problem last season and the reason they went from conceding 20 goals in LaLiga in 2022-23 to 44 last term.
From there, once they have addressed their defensive midfield issues, Barça will assess whether they’re capable of strengthening in other positions. Another forward, preferably a winger, would be next on the list of requirements. They were outscored by Real Madrid and Girona in LaLiga last season and should be wary of putting too much weight on teenager Lamine Yamal’s shoulders. — Sam Marsden
Summer friendly schedule:
– July 30: Manchester City; Orlando, Florida
– Aug. 3: Real Madrid; East Rutherford, New Jersey
– Aug. 6: AC Milan; Baltimore, Maryland
Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s summer revolves around the conclusion of the longest-running transfer saga of recent years: the belated arrival of Kylian Mbappé. From finally making his free transfer signing official, to finding time in the player’s busy summer schedule with France for a blockbuster presentation at a packed Santiago Bernabeu, to his integration into the Madrid squad for preseason training, the spotlight on Mbappé will be relentless.
Otherwise, Madrid’s focus is on how to repeat a hugely impressive 2023-24 and whether they can match, or even improve on, last season’s domestic and European success. Not much work is needed on a well-balanced squad. Further additions would be welcome in defence, where strengthening may be required at centre-back and left-back.
Tactically, the task for coach Carlo Ancelotti and his staff will be helping the team adjust to life without Toni Kroos, who retired after the European Championship. Kroos has set the tempo in Madrid’s midfield for a decade, and despite the club’s host of talented young midfielders, the German’s influence won’t be easy to replace. — Kirkland
Summer friendly schedule:
– July 31: AC Milan; Chicago, Illinois
– Aug. 3: Barcelona; East Rutherford, New Jersey
– Aug. 6: Chelsea; Charlotte, North Carolina
While the final stretch of the 2023-24 campaign did not exactly go as hoped, with Leverkusen losing decisively to Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final, the Werkself can nevertheless move forward with an overall feeling of great satisfaction after clinching a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. Xabi Alonso and his staff’s attention will now turn to defending their Bundesliga title.
Key personnel should remain, with only one or two players expected to move on. We might not see much transfer activity from Leverkusen, but they could make a few specific additions in order to increase depth. Aleix García is expected to arrive from Girona to provide an alternative to Granit Xhaka in midfield. And if Jeremie Frimpong does depart, club bosses will be tasked with finding an equally dynamic wing-back to take his place.
Due to the draining 2023-24 campaign that saw Leverkusen play a total of 53 competitive games, the team will not go on tour overseas. Instead, the club are planning to work on a programme for the preseason. — Constantin Eckner
Summer friendly schedule:
– July 26: Rot-Weiss Essen
– Aug. 3: Lens; Lens, France
– Aug. 7: Arsenal; London
Bayern Munich
The talk of the town has been Bayern’s extended and bumpy managerial pursuit, but Max Eberl, the board member overseeing transfer activities, and sporting director Christoph Freund had already attempted to tweak the squad for 2024-25 without knowing who the next manager would be.
Uncertainty exists regarding the future of Alphonso Davies, as the Canada international has yet to sign a new contract, with his deal expiring in 2025. As for potential signings, Bayern will attempt to bring in players aged 26 or younger while maintaining the balance between well-known names and prospects with considerable upside. Incoming manager Vincent Kompany already had a few names in mind with João Palhinha of Fulham and Michael Olise of Crystal Palace having signed.
Bayern plan to kick off preseason training July 15, although those starring at Euro 2024 will join up later. Labelled the “Audi Summer Tour,” Bayern will travel to South Korea, the home country of centre-back Kim Min-Jae, for promotional purposes. This will be Bayern’s fourth trip to Asia in recent years. — Eckner
Summer friendly schedule:
– July 24: Rottach-Egern
– July 28: 1. FC Düren
– Aug. 3: Tottenham; Seoul, South Korea
– Aug. 10: Tottenham; London, England
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund’s summer break has officially begun after Saturday’s Champions League final at Wembley. It has already been decided that the club will move forward with Edin Terzic as their manager despite some dire moments during a Bundesliga season (they finished fifth).
Their focus will be tying up a permanent deal for Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United last season. Dortmund could even accept an extension of the loan agreement for Sancho until the end of 2024-25. Other than that, the club’s transfer business will involve trying to sign a few talented, Bundesliga-proven players for a variety of roles, including central midfield, a winger as well as in attack.
For preseason, Dortmund will travel to Japan to reunite with Shinji Kagawa and take on the former BVB playmaker’s Cerezo Osaka. In early August, Dortmund will once again hold a training camp in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, a destination for hot springs and wellness retreats. — Eckner
Summer friendly schedule:
– July 12: Holzwickede
– July 17: Erzgebirge Aue
– July 21: Pathum United; Bangkok
– July 24: Cerezo Osaka; Osaka, Japan
– Aug. 6: Villarreal; Dortmund, Germany
– Aug. 10: Aston Villa; Dortmund, Germany
AC Milan
Milan are another club starting the new season with a new coach after moving on from Stefano Pioli, who had been in charge since 2019 and steered them to the Serie A title in 2021-22. Former AS Roma and Lille manager Paulo Fonseca succeeded him.
In addition to a new manager, Milan will also need a new striker. The Italian side have been reliant on Olivier Giroud, who scored 49 goals across the past three seasons, but have lost the Frenchman to MLS side LAFC. Replacing the former Arsenal man will be one of sporting director Antonio D’Ottavio’s biggest tasks this summer.
However, the Rossoneri also need to improve defensively. They may have finished second to Inter in the league last season, but no side in the top 10 conceded more goals than them — 49 in 38 games. Like Giroud, veteran centre-back Simon Kjaer has also left the club upon the expiry of his contract, so there is space to add bodies at the back. — Marsden
Summer friendly schedule:
– July 20: Rapid Vienna; Vienna, Austria
– July 27: Manchester City; New York
– July 31: Real Madrid; Chicago
– Aug. 6: Barcelona; Baltimore
Inter’s summer sees them face the daunting task of replicating a staggeringly successful domestic season under coach Simone Inzaghi in 2023-24. They won Serie A at a canter — finishing 19 points clear of nearest rivals AC Milan — with an eye-opening plus-67 goal difference, thanks to the division’s best attack, led by Lautaro Martínez, and meanest defence.
However that on-field triumph has been followed by off-field uncertainty, after the U.S.-based investment fund Oaktree Capital Management took ownership of Inter last month when the previous owners, China’s Suning, missed a loan payment. Oaktree say they’re “committed to the long-term success” of the club, but it remains to be seen whether major changes will be implemented at the executive level.
Work improving the squad for next season began early, with deals are in place to sign midfielder Piotr Zielinski of Napoli and FC Porto forward Mehdi Taremi on free transfers. Inter may also look to tie down key players such as Martinez and midfielder Nicolò Barella to longer-term deals. — Kirkland
Summer friendly schedule:
– July 17: FC Lugano
– July 22: Pergolettese
– July 27: Las Palmas; Cesena
– Aug. 2: Pisa; Pisa
– Aug. 7: Al Ittihad; Monza
– Aug. 11: Chelsea; London
A new cycle is starting at Juventus this summer after the departure of manager Massimiliano Allegri. He was deemed to be too old-school and too defensive, and the club wanted and needed a change.
Thiago Motta was chosen to pen this new chapter. After leading Bologna into the Champions League, facilitated by his attractive, attacking football with movement and freedom for his players, the former PSG midfielder is the complete opposite to Allegri. Juve want to tap into the potential of starlets like Kenan Yildiz, Fabio Miretti, Carlos Alcaraz and others waiting for their chance in the Juventus Next Gen team.
This will be a younger squad in 2024-25 than it was last season, and that’s before considering Adrien Rabiot, who is leaving as a free agent. Another big name, potentially Dusan Vlahovic or Federico Chiesa, could also be let go to help balance the books. — Laurens
Summer friendly schedule:
– July 26: Nuremberg; Nuremberg, Germany
– Aug. 3: Brest; Pescara
– Aug. 11: Atletico Madrid; Gothenburg, Sweden
This summer is all about filling the gap left by Mbappé, who will join Real Madrid. It is not so much finding a like-for-like replacement for the France captain but strengthening the squad to create a stronger team without Mbappé than it was with him. It won’t be easy but manager Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos are convinced it is not mission impossible.
As well as finding how to make up for the loss of Mbappé, the club is also working on extending the contract of Luis Enrique. The Spanish manager’s deal expires in 12 months, and both parties are keen to add at least an extra year to it. The club is very happy with what the former Barcelona boss did in his first season in Paris, despite the disappointment of losing to Borussia Dortmund against the odds in the Champions League semifinals.
Preseason plans are yet to be announced, but Les Parisiens are expected to tour China this summer, including a stop in Beijing for the French Super Cup against AS Monaco. — Laurens
Summer friendly schedule:
– Aug. 7: SK Sturm Graz; Austria
– Aug. 10: RB Leipzig; Germany
It promises to be a summer of change for Wrexham, with several players already having left the club since the end of last season. Team captain Ben Tozer, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Rob Lainton, Aaron Hayden, Callum McFadzean and Luke Young have all been released as manager Phil Parkinson attempts to strengthen his squad for a first season in League One — English football’s third tier — since 2004-05.
The initial priority was overcome several rivals in the race to sign goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. The 22-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Wrexham last season, and made the move permanently after his contract expired at parent club Arsenal.
Wrexham missed out on the signing of Burnley’s former England striker Jay Rodríguez, with the 34-year-old choosing to sign a new contract at Turf Moor, but with League One promising to be a huge step up for Parkinson’s team following successive promotions from the National League and League Two, expect the club to be busy in the transfer market this summer. — Ogden
Summer friendly schedule:
– July 15: Hanley Town
– July 20: AFC Bournemouth; Santa Barbara, California
– July 24: Chelsea; Santa Clara, California
– July 27: Vancouver Whitecaps; Vancouver, Canada
– Aug. 3: Fleetwood Town; Wrexham
[ad_2]
