Biggest Hole Top World Football Clubs Should Fill in 2016 Summer Transfer Window
There's still plenty of this season left to play, but transfer window thoughts are never too far away from the minds of the biggest clubs on the planet, and plans will already be in place for summer moves.
For some clubs, the gaps they need to fill are obvious, with a new goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or forward all they need to complete their jigsaw and push on for what they'll see as inevitable glory, but where do they need to improve?
Looking only at Bleacher Report's Big 14 clubs, let's go window shopping.
AC Milan: Centre-Back
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He's been in good form recently as AC Milan have made a somewhat unlikely charge up the table thanks to just one defeat in their last 14 Serie A games, but the Brazilian defender Alex will be 34 in the summer. And with fellow 33-year-old Philippe Mexes also still on the books at the San Siro, the Rossonneri could do with a younger centre-back next season.
Sinisa Mihajlovic has succeeded in dragging strong performances out of unheralded players in the past few months, so while a new defender might be needed, it needn't be a big name.
Arsenal: Defensive Midfield
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The centre of midfield was an area Arsenal supporters wanted to see strengthened last summer, but Arsene Wenger failed to do it, and the Gunners have suffered there ever since.
With Francis Coquelin picking up an injury in November, from which he's only just returned, the likes of Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta and even Calum Chambers have been pressed into service in defensive midfield, none of them being of the quality the Gunners need.
Wenger could do with righting his wrong in the summer.
Atletico Madrid: Centre-Forward
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Sometimes transfers just don't work out, and when they don't, it is better to simply pull the plug and swiftly move on.
Atletico Madrid and Jackson Martinez was a union that never looked right despite the high-profile nature of the Colombian's arrival at the Vicente Calderon last summer, and with Fernando Torres also looking set for an exit when his loan deal expires at the end of the season, centre-forward is an area where Atletico are lacking a little.
Antoine Griezmann continues to go from strength-to-strength, and Luciano Vietto and Angel Correa have also impressed on occasion, but Diego Simeone could do with an experienced goal-getter.
Barcelona: Wide Forward (on the Bench)
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What do you get the club that has everything? Well, maybe some understudies for the biggest stars on the planet.
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar continue to set matches alight both in Spain and across the continent, but even they need a breather from time to time, with Munir El-Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez sometimes coming into replace them.
Former Barca man Nolito has been suggested as a more experienced alternative by outlets such as ESPN FC, and they could go back in for him in the summer.
Bayern Munich: Centre-Back
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Bayern Munich are somewhat stuck in limbo as they prepare for the departure of Pep Guardiola and arrival of new manager Carlo Ancelotti, with the former AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss doubtless advising them on some transfer targets.
One of the first areas he could be looking to improve might be the centre of defence, where Bayern brought in Germany defender Serdar Tasci on loan in January, but Ancelotti might want his own man there, with Serie A-based targets maybe being looked at.
Borussia Dortmund: Centre-Forward
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Colombia's Adrian Ramos hasn't quite been the success story many hoped he'd be when he joined Borussia Dortmund from Hertha BSC in 2014, and as an alternative to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he just hasn't really cut it.
Dortmund have fine young attacking talents in their ranks, but replacing Ramos with an upgrade might be an option boss Thomas Tuchel needs to explore.
Chelsea: Centre-Back
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This could still change, but as it stands, John Terry is going to be leaving Chelsea when his contract expires in the summer. Whoever replaces him is going to have huge shoes to fill.
Whichever man takes the top job at Stamford Bridge in the summer could need to bring in a commanding centre-back to compensate for the loss of one of the greatest players in Chelsea's history.
Juventus: Attacking Midfield
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Juventus' resurgence in recent years has brought them back into a position to look an attractive destination to players from other so-called bigger clubs who aren't getting the game time they'd like. They could take advantage of this by making a truly exciting attacking signing in the summer.
Real Madrid's Isco is a name being mentioned by some, including Bleacher Report's Sam Lopresti in December, and the Spain international could add a dash of flair to the Turin giants that few other players could match.
Liverpool: Goalkeeper
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Liverpool's Simon Mignolet remains one of the more curious players in the Premier League, capable of fantastic saves one minute and terrible errors the next.
His display in this season's Capital One Cup final was another example of that. It was a game in which he made several fine saves to deny Sergio Aguero and co. but will be remembered for his error to allow Fernandinho to give Manchester City the lead.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp might not bring in a new No. 1 goalkeeper, but singing a player capable of challenging Mignolet is a must.
Manchester City: Central Midfield
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With Pep Guardiola on his way to Manchester City in the summer, the remainder of this season seems to have turned into a farewell tour for Yaya Toure, who looks almost certain to leave the club once the Catalan arrives.
The Ivorian stands as one of the icons of City's Sheikh Mansour era, and while moving him on will bring out a sense of nostalgia in the fans, once they see the dynamic, creative midfielder Guardiola is bound to want added, they will surely be appeased.
Manchester United: Centre-Back
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The make-up of Manchester United's defence has been one of the more unpredictable elements of their season, with a variety of ins and outs and young players often pressed into service perhaps slightly sooner than they should have been.
Michael Carrick has moved from his midfield spot to take up a position there as well in recent times, but with the veteran's contract set to expire in the summer, United could do with bringing in a real leader at the back to play alongside the improving Chris Smalling.
Paris Saint-Germain: Central Midfield
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Thiago Motta has been a fine servant to Paris Saint-Germain, but a club of their means should be able to improve on the ageing central midfielder.
Buzz Sport (h/t Metro) reported manager Laurent Blanc has been casting his eye over the Premier League in the search for a replacement for the 33-year-old Motta, with Chelsea's Nemanja Matic and Liverpool's Jordan Henderson two players to have been linked.
It might not be one of those two, but a midfield upgrade might well be needed soon.
Real Madrid: Wide Forward
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Without a Premier League goal all season, Chelsea's Eden Hazard has been playing as though he knows a transfer away from the club is imminent.
Real Madrid remain the side he is linked to the most by outlets such as the Guardian, and with the BBC combination of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo showing some signs of wear and tear, that move could be one that makes sense for all parties.
It might not mean there will be a high-profile departure from the Santiago Bernabeu, but it could just shake things up a bit.
Tottenham Hotspur: Wide Forward
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Tottenham Hotspur's title challenge has largely centred on manager Mauricio Pochettino's continued selection of the same players, with others such as Andros Townsend cast out into the wilderness.
If, as looks increasingly likely, Spurs are going to be playing in the Champions League next season, they will need to look at expanding their squad and bringing in more bodies in attacking positions, where Harry Kane has carried much of the burden this season.
A pacy forward who can play out wide might do the trick.
