Where Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona and the rest of Europe's elite sides need to strengthen in the summer transfer window

React to this story

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is over, and now it's time to refocus on the club game ahead of the new season. For Europe's top sides, the primary aim in the coming campaign is to win the UEFA Champions League.

'Their moment has come' - PSG lift the Champions League trophy

Video credit: TNT Sports

Paris Saint-Germain followed up their 2024/25 triumph with success in May as they beat Premier League side Arsenal on penalties in Hungary.

The French giants will look to complete a three-peat next year but will face stiff competition in the battle for the 2026/27 Champions League crown from a number of the continent's biggest teams.

And as Luis Enrique looks to oversee another period of dominance, we've taken a look at where PSG and their continental rivals can strengthen in the off-season.

Transfers

Arsenal push to secure Guimaraes and Vinicius deals - Paper Round

4 hours ago

Paris Saint-Germain

The priority for Paris Saint-Germain this summer has been player sales, with Goncalo Ramos and Kang-in Lee sold to AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, respectively.

Randal Kolo Muani and Renato Sanches, who spent last season out on loan, are also expected to depart the Ligue 1 champions permanently. Bradley Barcola is another that may yet leave.

However, PSG won't stand still in the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen.

Yan Diomande was on the club's radar, though the Ivorian teenager now looks set for a move to Real Madrid.

Diomande isn't the only attacking player that PSG are monitoring, with Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche wanted by the French powerhouse.

No Filter UCL Final: Heartbreak for Arsenal as PSG become back to back Champions League winners

Video credit: TNT Sports

Liverpool are also believed to be keeping tabs on Akliouche as The Reds weigh up possible Mohamed Salah successors.

And PSG may push for a Monaco double-swoop with USMNT striker Folarin Balogun previously linked with a Parc des Princes switch as a potential Ramos replacement.

Balogun was at the centre of a World Cup suspension storm after his ban for the eventual last-16 defeat to Belgium was suspended, following the 25-year-old's dismissal in a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He's not the only forward to have been linked with a summer switch to Paris, with Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi and Atalanta's Belgian attacker Charles De Ketelaere among those PSG are said to be monitoring.

In defence, the Parisians are out to bring in a new left-back to provide cover and provide competition for Nuno Mendes.

Aston Villa man Lucas Digne is the top target for Enrique, with the 33-year-old believed to be on the cusp of a return to the French capital.

Digne spent two years with PSG between 2013 and 2015, making 30 league appearances before departing for Roma on loan, and then on to Barcelona permanently in 2016.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid have already enjoyed an active summer transfer window. Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate joined on free transfers from Premier League pair Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively.

And the Spanish side will head into the new season with a new full-back pairing following the captures of right-back Denzel Dumfries from Inter and left-back Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.

Florentino Perez's re-election as club president has instigated a summer spending splurge as Real Madrid look to knock Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain off their Spanish and European perches, respectively.

Jose Mourinho's side are expected to miss out on Michael Olise, despite the push to land the France superstar.

Instead, Real Madrid have turned their attention to RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande despite links with a summer switch to Liverpool and PSG.

The French outfit looked to be in the driving seat for Diomande, but Real Madrid have stolen a march on their European rivals in the race for the 19-year-old.

Diomande's arrival could pave the way for Vinicius Junior to leave the Bernabeu. The Brazilian has been linked with a high-profile move to Premier League champions Arsenal.

Furthermore, Real Madrid are seeking to bring Rodri back to the Spanish capital this summer.

'He controls everything' - Cucurella heaps praise on Golden Ball winner Rodri

Video credit: SNTV

Rodri was central to Spain's successful World Cup campaign and they'll hope to agree a fee with Manchester City for the 30-year-old, who has a year left to run on his current deal with the Premier League side.

Real Madrid have previously chanced their luck with Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez but were quickly rebuffed in their efforts to sign the Argentina international.

Barcelona

Real Madrid's La Liga rivals Barcelona have also made an active start to the summer window.

Raphinha and new arrival Anthony Gordon will share left wing responsibilities, the latter joining from Premier league outfit Newcastle United, after Barcelona opted against making Marcus Rashford's loan switch permanent.

Gordon move is surprising, but he can take the next step - Hargreaves

Video credit: TNT Sports

On the opposite flank, Karim Adeyemi has signed from Borussia Dortmund to provide cover and competition for World Cup winner Lamine Yamal.

Barcelona may not stop there in their efforts to improve their frontline. Real Madrid are not the only side to have shown an interest in Julian Alvarez.

It's no secret that the Argentinian hitman is Barcelona's dream replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

Atletico Madrid, though, have previously stated that the Blaugrana would need to pay the striker's €500 million release clause in full in order to lure Alvarez from Wanda Metropolitano to Camp Nou.

In defence, meanwhile, Barcelona are one of a number of European powerhouse sides keeping tabs on Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero.

The Argentina defender is expected to depart Spurs this summer with the best teams on the continent monitoring developments over his future in London.

In all likelihood, Barcelona won't follow up their interest in Romero unless they are able to cash in on other squad players.

Spurs are expected to demand a significant fee for the 28-year-old, which the Spanish champions are unable to pay unless they raise funds elsewhere.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid recently followed up the signing of Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand with the addition of South Korean star Kang-in Lee.

French forward Antoine Griezmann has joined MLS outfit Orlando City, while they are desperately battling to retain Julian Alvarez's services.

Alvarez is wanted by both Arsenal and Barcelona, with The Gunners prepared to offer any number of players as a makeweight to land the 26-year-old.

Viktor Gyokeres, who only arrived from Portuguese side Sporting CP last summer, is one of those Arsenal are prepared to lose in order to sign Alvarez.

Gyokeres holds nerve to slot Arsenal into lead with 'excellent' penalty

Video credit: TNT Sports

However, Atletico are instead hoping to lure Gabriel Martinelli or Gabriel Jesus to Spain as part of a deal that would see Alvarez return to England.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are exploring the possibility of including Spain's World Cup final hero Ferran Torres as a sweetener to sign Alvarez.

Atletico may bolster their attacking line further with a move for free agent Jadon Sancho, who is out of contract following his Manchester United exit.

Sancho's career hasn't panned out as the player had hoped, with loan spells back at Borussia Dortmund, and with Chelsea and Aston Villa, failing to have the desired effect.

A move away from England could prove to be what the winger needs in order to reignite his career.

Bayern Munich

German giants Bayern Munich have already added players in key areas this summer. Moroccan forward Ismael Saibari completed his move to Allianz Arena during the World Cup.

German left-back Nathaniel Brown will also be rocking the Bayern shirt next season having signed from Eintracht Frankfurt as a replacement for Raphael Guerreiro.

Bayern, though, still feel a little light in key areas. Central midfielder Leon Goretzka has departed following the culmination of his contract. Joao Palhinha has also returned to Bavaria after Spurs opted against making his move permanent.

Palhinha, though, doesn't have a future in Munich, with a Premier League return possible.

Ayyoub Bouaddi is a wanted man this summer and while Bayern had been monitoring the Lille man, Manchester City are set to win the race for the Morocco star.

Elsewhere, Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa has been linked with a move to Germany as a long-term successor for Manuel Neuer between the sticks.

And having missed out on Gordon to Barcelona, Bayern are out to bring in another left winger to provide cover and competition for Luis Diaz.

Bradley Barcola is believed to be on Bayern's wishlist, though convincing PSG to sell will take some doing if the French side are unable to bring in a replacement for the France international.

Inter

Inter have endured a subdued summer following their Serie A and Coppa Italia success.

Aleksandar Stankovic has returned to Italy following a season-long loan spell with Luzern in 2024/25, and a solitary year with Belgian side Club Brugge. He will hope to break into the first team before long.

Manuel Akanji's loan move has been made permanent, while Ivan Provedel has come into replace Yann Sommer between the sticks.

Inter are now out to strengthen in defence following the exits of Denzel Dumfries, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian.

Watch as Inter celebrate after winning Scudetto

Video credit: TNT Sports

Spurs pair Djed Spence and Cristian Romero are the top defensive targets for the Scudetto winners.

Chelsea man Trevoh Chalobah was also linked with a transfer to the Italian club, though the England international is closer to a move to Como than Inter.

In the middle of the park, Curtis Jones was on the club's radar in January, and is reportedly wanted by Inter this summer.

Nottingham Forest are also in for the Liverpool star, so Inter would face competition in any battle to sign Jones.

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Download the TNT Sports app on iPhone and Android.

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

Transfers

Salah set for Trabzonspor as club confirm negotiations and arrival in Turkey

14 hours ago

Transfers

Salah 'agreement' reached, Barca stick to Alvarez plan - Euro Transfer News

14 hours ago