It's extremely early to make predictions, but if you pushed me on it—really pushed me—I'd put my money on Manchester United to retain their Premier League title next season.

Yes, they've got a new manager in David Moyes. Yes, 26-plus years of Sir Alex Ferguson is a lot to live up to and Moyes will be under intense pressure. And, yes, Wayne Rooney may very well not be there to help him.

But what Ferguson leaves behind is a club structure honed for success. His legacy is a mindset amongst the squad and the staff at Old Trafford that has produced prolific success. Provided Moyes taps into it, adds a couple of good players this summer and has a fit Robin van Persie next season, United will triumph.

Chelsea's transition to a new manager is unlikely to be as smooth. The same could be said about Manchester City. Tottenham have Gareth Bale, but not enough around him yet.

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Bayern Munich are favorites for glory in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium in London. For those who have followed Bayern this season, that fact comes as little surprise.

Beaten finalists a year ago in their home stadium, Bayern reloaded in the offseason and stormed to the Bundesliga title in record style, clinching the trophy with six matches to spare. After a slow start in the group stage, Jupp Heynckes' team has enjoyed remarkably similar dominance in the knockout rounds.

Bayern will meet domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund in the final, and with a win would clinch their fifth European Cup/Champions League title, tied for third all-time with Liverpool.

Below is a recap of Bayern's run to this season's Champions League final, starting from the beginning.

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Manuel Pellegrini admitted today that Malaga's game against Deportivo La Coruna will be his last at la Roselada.

The Chilean is a world-class tactician who seems set for an English Premier League job in the 2013-14 season, but which club will snap him up?

Manchester City have been linked with him since before Roberto Mancini was officially sacked (via BBC), but he's been paired with Chelsea by The Telegraph too.

So what's the low-down on the new manager likely arriving on British shores?

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Borussia Dortmund have confirmed (via ESPN) that playmaker Mario Gotze will miss Saturday's UEFA Champions League final.

It's good news for Bayern Munich, who otherwise would have faced the uncomfortable prospect of playing against a future teammate. And it's also good news for fans of conspiracy theories.

Gotze, a 20-year-old German international midfielder, is set to join Bayern Munich this summer in a €37 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund. In this week's build-up to the match, Gotze told Bild (via ESPN FC), "To win the final in my last game for Dortmund would be by far the greatest for me. I want to take part in the game in London, absolutely, and will give my all for Borussia. I want to help the team lift the trophy."

That will not happen now. Dortmund might indeed win, but Gotze will take no part after failing to recover in time from a muscle strain suffered in the second leg of Dortmund's semifinal win over Real Madrid.

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According to the headline attached to a talkSPORT exclusive interview with former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo "could follow Jose Mourinho to Chelsea."

Don't buy it. That's not exactly what Calderon said.

The headline reads nicely, of course, and it must be driving Chelsea fans wild with excitement. The arrivals of Mourinho and Ronaldo this summer, coupled with an already talented squad, would probably make the Blues the undisputed favorites for next season's Premier League title. In fact, they might also make Chelsea a leading contender for the Champions League.

But upon further inspection, it's also a stretch. One only has to hear Calderon's words to recognize as much.

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We've heard the whispers, read the gossip and entertained the idle speculation for weeks, months and even years. Now, though, it might be time for some real developments in the Neymar transfer saga.

Neymar, the precocious 21-year-old Brazil international forward, has been linked heavily with a move to Europe this summer. The news on his reported destination leads this Wednesday edition of the B/R Summer Transfer Window Gossip roundup.

Inside, we also have updates on Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain, Stevan Jovetic, David Luiz and more. Keep reading for all the details.

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Manchester United have been credited with interest in Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

According to Spanish daily newspaper Marca, an €18 million bid is under consideration as the Red Devils look to revamp that area of their squad and bolster the quality it possesses.

Per the report:

Thiago will be the first to tell you that this season hasn't gone as planned.

Pep Guardiola fought his corner and truly valued him as a wonderful prospect, giving him the chance to shine in the Audi Cup in 2011 and the player never looked back.

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Despite the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being nine years away, it's still one of the most talked about items on the footballing calendar.

Here, we look at five young stars who are certain to shine at the showpiece event in Asia, given their fantastic form at an early age.

Add your predictions for who will shine in the comments below!

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