Biggest Remaining Transfer Requirements for Top 10 Bundesliga Teams

We look at the top 10 Bundesliga clubs from last season, and what dealings the German elite are pondering with the 31st August transfer deadline looming.

Which squads need strengthening and which holes need plugging? Which side needs to sign a striker in the transfer window? 

We thank WhoScored.com for statistics and respected German magazine Kicker for the transfer fees.

Hannover 96

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Diouf departs for Premier League

Turkish coach Tayfun Korkut is bereft of attacking options. Mame Biram Diouf has joined Premier League side Stoke City, while fans' favourite Didier Ya Konan has left for Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

Hungarian star provider Szabolcs Huszti, so often an inspiration last season (10 goals and nine assists) has decided to take the coin in China.

Spanish striker Joselu, a €5 million capture from Hoffenheim, performed well for Frankfurt on loan last year but will need support if Hannover are to avoid suffering early on this season.

Hoffenheim

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Beck needs help at the back

Hoffenheim conceded 70 goals in the Bundesliga last season, the second-worst defensive record in the top tier.

Despite scoring a whopping 72 goals (only heavyweights Bayern and Dortmund scored more), it is clear which area needs to be addressed.

Trainer Markus Gisdol has already added Oliver Baumann in goal from Freiburg for €5.5 million. Bosnian defender Ermin Bicakcic has arrived from relegated Braunschweig, while left-back Kim Jin-su has joined from Albirex Niigata in Japan.

Expect more quality reinforcements at the back if Hoffenheim are to push on from last season.

Augsburg

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Ostrzolek on his way?

Augsburg are sweating over the future of Matthias Ostrzolek.

Ostrzolek was outstanding last season as Augsburg amazed many pundits by finishing eighth.

Unfortunately for last season's surprise package, the 24-year-old left-back has made no secret of his desire to move to pastures new.

"I want to join HSV," he told the local paper in Augsburg, who also reveal that the club are holding out for at least €3 million to compensate for his loss.

The defender is contracted for another year, and it is probable that Hamburg and Augsburg will come to a compromise over the transfer fee in the coming weeks.

Augsburg's general manager, Stefan Reuter, a World Cup winner in 1990, will have to scour the market for a suitable replacement for his accomplished left-back.

Mainz 05

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Kasper kicking off in Europa League

Niko Bungert's untimely knee injury has left new trainer Kasper Hjulmand in a quandary early on in his coaching career in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Mainz currently have only two fit central defenders in the shape of Stefan Bell and Nikolce Noveski.

With the potential added burden of Europa League football this season, it is highly likely that the Dane will make a move to bolster this depleted area of the squad.

Borussia Monchengladbach

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Eberl evaluating strikers

Borussia Monchengladbach have the cash to invest in a new striker.

"We won't be shy in spending money," assured Gladbach's director of sport Max Eberl in the latest print edition of Sport Bild magazine.

The "Foals" pocketed €12 million from Barcelona for talented goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and finally got Luuk de Jong off the books for €5.5 million to PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutch striker, signed for €12 million, scored just six league goals in two years, and also failed to score in the Premier League during a disappointing loan spell with Newcastle.

Rest assured Eberl and Gladbach will be looking for more value for their money than they got with De Jong.

Wolfsburg

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Bendtner to Bundesliga

Wolfsburg made no secret of the fact they were looking for a new striker.

At the moment, the Wolves are overly reliant on 34-year-old Ivica Olic. Dutch target man Bas Dost is struggling with injury and seemingly out of favour.

When asked about acquiring a fresh face up front, sporting director Klaus Allofs told Kicker: "We are patiently waiting for the right moment."

Romelu Lukaku's agent Christophe Henrotay admitted in the Belgian press that Wolfsburg were interested, but he claimed that his client has "better offers than Wolfsburg."

Lukaku has performed outstandingly in the Premier League for West Brom and Everton in the past two seasons while on loan from Chelsea, and ultimately decided to rejoin the Toffees.

One week before the league campaign gets underway, The Wolves announced the free signing capture of former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner on a three-year-deal.

Bayer Leverkusen

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About Schmidt

New Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt has been busy strengthening in the transfer market.

Hakan Calhanoglu is the marquee purchase at €14.5 million from Hamburg. The Turkish international will provide the bullets for Swiss striker Josep Drmic (who signed for €6.8 million from relegated Nurnberg) and the ever-reliable Stefan Kiessling.

Wendell, a promising Brazilian defender, has also been added to the back line for €6.5 million.

Like Borussia Dortmund, who Leverkusen travel to play in the standout fixture of the opening round of the Bundesliga, the Werkself must wait and see how their fresh talents settle in and react to any untimely injuries on the eve of the new season.

Schalke 04

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Both the Peruvian and the Japanese star struggling with injury

Peruvian winger Jefferson Farfan is likely to be out until winter following a knee operation.

The recent injury to Japanese defender Atsuto Uchida means  the Royal Blues are somewhat lacking down the right.

Sydney Sam, signed from Leverkusen, and World Cup winner Benedikt Hoewedes can fill in on the right, but they would be stop-gap measures.

Don't be surprised if Schalke coach Jens Keller decides to strengthen in this area.

Borussia Dortmund

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Klopp up for the Pep challenge

Top striker Robert Lewandowski has jumped ship to join Bayern Munich on a free transfer.

This is not particularly good news for those desiring a tighter title race this season. The Bavarians finished 19 points ahead of Dortmund last season. You could consider that progress, however, the gap was 25 points the season before.

How crucial a player Lewandowski was at Dortmund can be judged by the attacking talent signed to ease the pain of the Pole's departure.

Forwards in the shape of Italian Ciro Immobile (€18.5 million), Colombian Adrian Ramos (€9 million) and South Korean Ji Dong-won have all been brought in by Jurgen Klopp in an attempt to plug the massive gap left by Lewandowski.

Dortmund must wait and see how this attacking trio bed in at the club during pre-season. Also, the return to fitness of Marco Reus will be key to Dortmund's fortunes this campaign.

If any unforeseen injuries occur in the run up to competitive action, Dortmund have the financial muscle to react and take another plunge in the transfer market.

Bayern Munich

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Pepe joins Pep in Bavaria

At the first press conference after the summer recess, Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola confirmed that he is not looking to bolster any area of the squad other than goalkeeper.

"I want three goalkeepers," the Spaniard stressed.

The record German champions already boast arguably the world's best 'keeper in Manuel Neuer and a perfectly capable back-up in the shape of Tom Starke.

Third-choice Lukas Raeder was deemed surplus to requirements and has moved to Portugal.

Sport in Barcelona linked Pep's former keeper Victor Valdes with a move to Bavaria. However, Pep remained true to his word and plumped for another Spanish keeper in the shape of 31-year-old Pepe Reina of Liverpool. Pepe is set to join Pep as confirmed on the club's website.

Follow Mark Lovell @LovellLowdown