World Football's Most Exciting Summer Transfers

Bayern Munich reached the Champions League Final this week with a 7-0 aggregate humiliation of Barcelona in the semifinal. The Germans well and truly humbled their Catalan opponents to book their place at Wembley on May 25.

But if we thought they were strong enough already, wait until next season.

Not only will Pep Guardiola take the managerial reins from Jupp Heynckes for 2013-14, the Bundesliga champions have also added Mario Gotze to their ranks from rivals—and fellow Champions League finalists—Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern announced the 20-year-old’s signing on Apr. 23, and his move to Munich is just one of many major transfer deals over the coming months.

The season may be ending in a few short weeks, but for some the real excitement starts now as the transfer merry-go-round begins to spin into life.

Who will be following the likes of Gotze with big moves this summer, though? Bleacher Report takes a look at the top-10 potential transfers from across the globe.

Robert Lewandowski

Borussia Dortmund may be Champions League finalists and the second best team in Germany, but it seems they will have a major rebuilding job on their hands this summer.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has already lost Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich and his star striker Robert Lewndowski is expected to be the next big name to leave.

It will be a major blow for the club, especially as the Pole has scored 23 Bundesliga goals this term with 10 coming in the Champions League.

Where is he headed?

It was expected Lewandowski would be joining Manchester United. However, the latest reports suggest that a move to Bayern Munich is back on the cards (via The Sun).

He has one year left on his contract, so Dortmund are left in a similar situation to Arsenal last season. The Gunners could have maintained the services of Robin van Persie and lost him for nothing this summer, but they instead opted to cash in and sell him for £24 million.

This means all the power is with the player.

So while they may not want to lose another talent to their Bayern rivals, Dortmund have little control on where Lewandowski will be playing next season.

With Jose Mourinho's expected return to Chelsea, the Daily Mail has also reported the Portuguese has been trying to scupper any deal to Bayern. He has even texted Lewandowski in an attempt for him to join the current Real Madrid boss in West London.

What will he bring his new employers?

Put simply: goals—and plenty of them.

Lewandowski is one of Europe’s most deadliest strikers. Real Madrid found this out to their detriment in the Champions League semifinals when he smashed four past them in the first leg.

If he does indeed move to Bayern, it could signal the beginning of the Germans being Europe’s dominant team for the foreseeable future.

Wayne Rooney

It seems a season doesn’t pass without Wayne Rooney being linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

Given the Manchester United star’s profile, it makes for little surprise.

In 2009-10 he looked on the brink of a transfer, citing the squad’s strength in depth as the main reason for wanting to leave. But after a dramatic U-turn, he signed a new five-year contract just two days later (via BBC.co.uk).

Rumors of unrest and a desire to leave have surfaced once more this season, but it is similar to tales from the past.

Is it all just hot air, or will Wazza be on his way to new pastures?

Where is he headed?

For the salary Rooney commands at Manchester United—Forbes estimates this at around £11 million a year—there are only a few clubs that could afford him.

Chelsea and Manchester City are unlikely destinations, which leaves moneybags Paris Saint-Germain one of the few a viable options.

According to the Daily Mail, his transfer to the Ligue 1 club is a done deal, suggesting he will join the club at the end of this season.

What will he bring his new employers?

He scores his fair share of goals, but Rooney brings so much more to Manchester United.

He can play as the main front man, but is just as effective in the hole, which he has been forced to do this term after the capture of Robin van Persie. He also has excellent vision. This was outlined by the sublime pass he made for Van Persie’s second in the recent 3-0 victory over Aston Villa that sealed United the 2012-13 league title.

Falcao

Radamel Falcao Garcia Zarate is a player as flamboyant as his title would suggest.

With 26 goals in 30 La Liga appearances, there aren’t many more clinical marksmen than him on the planet, let alone in Europe. And when you score the goals he has in recent seasons, everybody wants a piece of you.

The subject of his transfer has been an ongoing "will-he-won’t-he" saga throughout the season. But given Atletico Madrid’s financial struggles, it’s difficult to see him remaining at the Vicente Calderon Stadium next season.

Where is he headed?

If you like a flutter, the smart money is on a move to Chelsea.

The Blues have long been admirers of his talents. And with Fernando Torres still not as prolific as the club would like, they’re desperate for a man of Falcao’s talents.

In Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea have the ideal sweetner to force through a deal, too. The young Belgian stopper has been on loan at Atletico for the past two seasons, impressing considerably in that time. They may not want to lose Petr Cech’s heir apparent, but the lure of acquiring Falcao could prove too tempting.

Goal.com reports a deal is all but done, but expect one or two twists in the tale before anything is complete.

What will he bring his new employers?

Since Didier Drogba’s departure in 2012, goals are a valuable commodity that Chelsea have craved.  

Falcao is a game changer. And signing him could be the missing piece for Chelsea as they look to complement their attacking talents Juan Mata and Eden Hazard with a striker capable of winning them the title.

Frank Lampard

Speaking of Chelsea, as one star of the game is expected to arrive, another is expected to depart this summer.

Frank Lampard has served the club valiantly in his 12 years at Stamford Bridge, but at 34 years old, it seems his time has come to move on

This season has seen him play a less vital role in the team, forced to compete with the likes of Ramires and John Mikel Obi for a starting place that was once guaranteed.

The Independent has suggested the Blues have had a change of heart, but it is difficult to see Lampard remaining at Stamford Bridge beyond the current campaign.

Where is he headed?

He’s been spotted at their games while on vacation in the States and given their glamorous appeal, MLS outfit LA Galaxy are the early front-runners for Lampard’s signature.

The rumors have long rumbled on with regard to this move. But with the Daily Star reporting last month that Lampard had postponed his summer wedding to TV presenter Christine Bleakley, it has fuelled the flames of a move Stateside even further.

What will he bring his new employers?

He’s not the player he was five years ago, but that’s not to say Lampard doesn’t remain a talented midfielder. He brings goals from midfield, but his distribution is also something to be marveled.

Were he to play in MLS, the likes of Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan at LA Galaxy would thrive on Lampard feeding them from midfield.

Edinson Cavani

It seems this summer is all about strikers.

Sift through transfer rumor mills across newspapers and online forums and they are full of whispers as to where the next big name frontman is moving.

Therefore, Edinson Cavani’s name invariably crops up. And it’s no wonder after the Uruguayan’s form for Napoli, firing them to second spot in Serie A this term.

The Azzurri will win a Champions League spot for next season on the back of their lofty league finish, but we can expect them to be competing without their talented striker. Cavani's 23 goals in Italy this term have convinced some of Europe’s leading clubs that now is the time to sign him up.

Where is he headed?

Of all the transfers this summer, Cavani’s is the one which has the potential to become a real tug of war.

According to the Daily Mail, both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are desperate to sign him, while other reports suggest Real Madrid are also admirers of his talents (via Daily Express).

Prepare to sit down and hold on tight because this transfer promises to be a bumpy ride.

What will he bring his new employers?

Cavani has that Latin flair craved and admired by so many throughout Europe.

He has flashes of brilliance that can turn games on their head, while he has shown on more than one occasion that he is capable of winning matches almost single-handed.

Luis Suarez

Wherever Luis Suarez goes he brings controversy with him, and he has made headlines for a whole lot more than transfer rumors.

His goals have kept Liverpool going this season as Brendan Rodgers endeavors to rebuild the club. Without their Uruguayan talisman, Liverpool are a shade of the team they can be.

That’s a massive compliment to his talents and despite the negative publicity he may bring, goals and points are worth far more to a football club.

It’s been self-inflicted, but with the Patrice Evra incident and the recent bite attack on Branislav Ivanovic, Suarez had a tough time in England since joining the Reds in Janaury 2011. Now facing a 10-game ban, could we have seen the last of him in the Premier League?

Where is he headed?

Pep Guardiola will be Bayern Munich manager next season and with none other than his brother, Pere, said to be an adviser to Suarez, many suspect he will be on the move to Germany.

Juventus have been known for their interest. But as the Daily Mail reports, it could be Suarez’s relationship with the Guardiolas that proves to be the deal maker this summer.

The Uruguayan hasn’t intimated he will leave the Reds, but given all that has happened with him, would they be able to resist a big-money offer?

What will he bring his new employers?

Suarez is very much the embodiment of the modern frontman. He’s good in the air and is a major threat when in possession, beating players and causing havoc for defenders. Not only that, but off the ball he has an ability to ghost between defenders and, when on the form, there aren’t many better in front of goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Aside from Lionel Messi, has there been a better player in world football than Crisitano Ronaldo in recent years?

The Portuguese attacker has developed significantly from a player with more than a tendency to showboat when he joined Manchester United in 2003 to one of football’s most feared men.

He helped Real Madrid to the La Liga crown in 2012; however, shortly after stories of unrest began to surface as he discussed being unhappy.

Ronaldo would walk into any team in the world, including Champions League finalists Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. So if he does decide his time is up at the Bernabeu, expect a frenzy for his signature.

Where is he headed?

The natural stop for Ronaldo this summer would be Old Trafford.

He is still adored from the terraces by the Manchester United crowd and Sir Alex Ferguson has made no secret of their continued relationship since he departed for Spain in 2009.

But if United are to bring their prodigal son home, they will need to beat off the attention of Paris Saint-Germain. The Sun claim they are willing to fight the Red Devils for his signature to the tune of £80 million.

If Ronaldo departs Madrid, expect another record fee to be involved.

What will he bring his new employers?

Everything.

Ronaldo is a player who has it all: strength, pace, skill and he’s even an aerial threat. The Portuguese is an exceptional talent and if Real Madrid allow him to leave, it’s going to take some effort to find a replacement.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale recently claimed a clean sweep of awards in English football, winning the PFA Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year and also the FWA Footballer of the Year.

With a season like that, it’s no wonder this summer is expected to see every major club with a significant transfer deal knocking on the door at White Hart Lane in pursuit of the Welshman.

Tottenham Hotspur are fighting it out with Arsenal and Chelsea for a place in the Champions League next term. If Spurs can secure a place at Europe’s top table, it may well prove enough to convince Bale his future is at White Hart Lane.

Fail, and it could be more than the riches Champions League football brings that Spurs lose out on.

Where is he headed?

Who doesn’t want Gareth Bale to sign for them should be the question.

The world is quite literally his oyster and he has a long list of admirers that includes Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Barcelona.

The Mirror reports Madrid have already started in their pursuit of him, while the same newspaper suggests Bayern Munich are preparing a £30 million offer.

What will he bring his new employers?

We knew he had goals in his repertoire, but not to extent we have seen from Bale this season.

He tops the clubs Premier League scoring charts with 19 to his name and he also grabs his fair share of assists. Bale can play on either wing or through the middle, so given that versatility, it suggests he can fit in anywhere.

Neymar

It’s difficult not to be skeptical where Neymar is concerned. The 21-year-old has shown plenty of potential and promise, but we’ve seen it all before.

Similar to his compatriot Robinho all those years back, many are predicting Neymar to be the next superstar to come out of Brazil, while others are less convinced.

Well, in the case of Robinho, we all know what happened there and there are no guarantees the same will not happen with Neymar.

There’s no doubting his talents, however, which is why a host of clubs seem desperate to snap him up.

It's expected he will not make the move from Brazil until after the 2014 World Cup.

Yet given his billing, don't be surprised if one of Europe's giants doesn't snap him up this summer with a view to his arrival a year later.

Where is he headed?

Early indications suggest Spain.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have traditionally been the destination of choice for many Samba stars in years gone by when making the move across the Atlantic. But Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City have been reported to have shown an interest as well.

According to Metro, any attempts from the English clubs to sign him will be in vein, though, with Neymar reportedly preferring to join Barcelona.

His mooted transfer has been an ongoing saga for some time and now it’s a question of when, not if, he arrives in Europe.

What will he bring his new employers?

Plenty of flair.

Just watch a YouTube clip of the Brazilian in action for his country or club side Santos and you’ll get a flavor of what Neymar is all about. He has that swagger so often seen in Brazilian players and given his youth, he is only going to improve.

Whether that makes him a success in Europe, though, remains to be seen.

Leandro Damiao

Similar to Neymar, Leandro Damiao has long been linked with a move from his native Brazil to Europe.

The midfielder-cum-striker has earned many admirers on his form for club side Internacional. This has led to many suggesting he will be Brazil’s number one striker in the 2014 World Cup in his homeland.

At 24, he beginning to enter his prime years as a player. So while his club have been able to resist the lure of selling him, they know the time is coming when his stock will eventually fall. They will start looking to cash in on their asset.

Where is he headed?

Given their need to bolster their forward ranks, Tottenham Hotspur came close to signing Damiao in January. The Guardian reported in January that Spurs failed with a £13 million bid, while more recently other outlets such the Daily Mail and Mirror are claiming the move is back on.

What will he bring his new employers?

He may be Brazilian, but don’t expect the stereotypical Samba style where the striker is concerned. He has all the ability, but is somewhat more direct and plays in the traditional sense of what a target man is.

With the style of Premier League football, that would make him a perfect fit at known admirers Spurs.