The start of July signals the opening of the Summer transfer window, and fans throughout the country can begin to look forward to the new season as the eagerly anticipated window sets an early tone of expectation.

The window has traditionally seen hundreds of millions of pounds spent in the Premier League, with last season’s figures topping £800million in expenditure between the 20 top flight clubs.

With signings ranging from the likes of Radamel Falcao to Steven Caulker, fans spend every excruciating minute biting their nails in a state of collective anxiety.

And ultimately take to social media to voice their concerns or confidence.

Will their club spend any money? Is their record signing going to fire them to their target? Or will they flop? Can the club hold onto their best player?

With July just a few short weeks away, we take a look at ten of the most likely transfers to affect the Premier League.

Radamel Falcao

One of Colombia’s greatest forwards was set to grace the Premier League when Manchester United signed him last season on loan from French club AS Monaco.

Only the legendary striker failed to turn up, with Falcao appearing a mere shadow of the prolific ex-Atletico Madrid man under Louis van Gaal.

Ever up for a challenge, Jose Mourinho seems set to bring the Colombian to Stamford Bridge for a second shot at the Premier League.

And if there is a manager capable of bringing Falcao back to his best, Mourinho seems the best option. It could be an exciting year for Chelsea fans.

Paul Pogba

Following Champions League final defeat with Juventus, the ex-United midfielder seems set to move to one of Europe’s biggest (or richest) sides.

The French midfielder is robust, can pick a pass and isn’t a stranger to a goal, scoring 8 times in 26 Serie A appearances last season.

And with Manchester City seeking to challenge Barcelona for his signature, Pogba could well act as their foundation for the next decade as the Blues seek to become England’s next indomitable side.

Ilkay Gundogan

The 24-year-old midfielder has been courted by English clubs for some time now, and with manager Jurgen Klopp leaving Borussia Dortmund, Gundogan may find the time is right to leave the club.

Both Arsenal and Manchester United are known admirers of the midfielder who can play a variety of roles, and with only one year remaining on his contract, he could be acquired for a knock-down fee.

And the Germany midfielder is set to announce his future imminently, after declaring he will make an announcement as soon as possible after last weekend’s 7-0 win against Gibraltar.

Petr Cech

Mourinho doesn’t want to see his stalwart keeper depart the Club, but after eleven years with the Stamford Bridge side, Cech is determined to leave for first team football after being displaced by Thibaut Courtois.

Reports are emanating that Cech wants to move to Arsenal, but Mourinho would prefer not to sell to a title rival.

It would seem, however, that Chelsea will not stand in the way of their goalkeeper after his many years of service.

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Mario Mandzukic

The Atletico Madrid forward has been heavily linked with a move to England since he departed Bayern Munich last season.

This time, Louis van Gaal is rumoured to be interested in his services after a rumoured move away for Robin van Persie leaving the Dutchman short of forward options.

And the lofty striker could help to provide a greater presence in the air, with neither of United’s current strikers particularly tall, and play the role that Marouane Fellaini found himself playing at the tail end of last season.

Gareth Bale

Welsh winger Bale has already been consistently linked with a move back to the Premier League for what seems like an eternity, following his world record transfer to Real Madrid two seasons ago.

Chelsea and Arsenal have fleetingly been rumoured to hold an interest in the explosive forward, however it is Manchester United who seem to hold the greatest chance of signing him.

With Madrid courting star goalkeeper David de Gea from Old Trafford, the Spanish keeper’s fate could be heavily related to what happens to Bale, despite continuous denials that Bale wants to leave the Spanish capital.

Gareth Bale in Euro 2016 qualifying

Goals

6

Assists

2

Christian Benteke

The imposing Belgian striker finally returned to form under the guidance of Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa in the second half of the 2014/15 season.

Scoring 11 league goals in the space of 10 matches to help Villa survive the drop, Benteke spectacularly found his shooting boots again to remind the league what he is capable of, and that may be to Aston Villa’s long-term detriment.

Liverpool, Chelsea, and pretty much every Premier League side with a Belgian international has been linked with a move for the striker, with Hazard just one of his international team-mates to state his dream of playing alongside Benteke at club level.

Benteke goal/game ratio

86

Appearances

41

Goals

0.48

Average

Carlos Tevez

Having helped Juventus to the Champions League final in Berlin, Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez could be set for a return to the Premier League.

The ex-West Ham, Manchester City and United striker has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, although rumours persist of another top flight club bidding for the striker.

Still a clinical, relentless presence, the controversial striker could yet make a return to England’s top flight.

Harry Kane

After an astonishing breakthrough season at Spurs, Kane has undoubtedly attracted the attention of all the top four sides.

With 31 goals to his name in all competitions last season, and seemingly establishing himself as an all-round forward, Kane is set to ignite a fierce battle for his signature.

Manchester United have been heavily touted to snap him up for £40million but Spurs are notoriously difficult dealers and their relationship with United has been sour ever since Berbatov and Carrick departed north London for Manchester.

And with Levy always looking to extract the best price for his players, the Kane to United story may continue until the dying moments of deadline day.

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Raheem Sterling

The controversial England starlet is no stranger to the limelight, having courted the wrath of Liverpool fans over the past year by stating his intent to leave the club.

Liverpool want to squeeze an extortionate fee for one of their brightest prospect in the past decade, and have already been said to have rejected a £20m+ bid by Manchester City.

With both City and Manchester rivals United joining Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich on the list of potential suitors, the Sterling saga is set to stretch throughout Summer.

Time Line

Raheem Sterling contract saga timeline

  1. January 29: 'Raheem is very happy;

    Brendan Rodgers dismissed speculation over Sterling's future, insisting the youngster's future at the club would be "sorted very soon".

  2. February 9: An incredible deal

    Sterling is Liverpool's second-highest top scorer this season

    The Liverpool boss reiterated his stance, claiming Sterling had been offered an "incredible deal" to stay at Anfield.

  3. February 13: Werner wades in

    Liverpool chairman Tom Werner also claimed to be confident of tying down the 20-year-old.

  4. February 23: Sterling speaks

    The youngster insisted he was happy to stay at Liverpool following the Reds' 2-0 victory over Southampton, saying he was happy at the club.

  5. March 14: Rodgers relaxed

    The Kop boss told reporters that Sterling "won't be going anywhere in a hurry" despite the attacker putting off signing a new deal.

  6. March 16: £100m man

    Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini played down reports of the club's interest in Sterling, claiming that the 20-year-old would cost £100 million.

  7. March 20: Nothing before the summer

    Rodgers admitted that a deal with Sterling wouldn't be signed until after the end of season, but repeated his claim that the youngster was happy at Anfield.

  8. April 1: The Interview

    Sterling shocked Liverpool with a BBC interview in which he refuted claims that he was a money-grabber and explained that he wanted to play at the highest level.

  9. April 2: 'A top player'

    Quick on the heels of the interview, Arsene Wenger admitted that he, like Pellegrini, thought highly of Liverpool starlet.

  10. April 3: Carra slams Sterling's camp

    Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher branded Sterling's agent "a disgrace" for his outspoken comments on the attacker's Anfield future.

  11. April 6: Murmurs from Madrid

    Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane fuelled further speculation on Sterling after admitting that the Spanish giants had monitored the attacker.

  12. April 10: Heckled at the kit launch

    Fans attending the launch of Liverpool's 2015-16 kit reminded Sterling to stay loyal to the club, shouting at the star from the Centenary Stand.

  13. April 13: 'I want my own song from the Kop!'

    Sterling hinted that he may yet have a long-term future at the club, telling fans that he wanted his own chant at Anfield in an interview with the Sunday Times.

  14. May 18: Sterling says he wants to leave

    Sources close to the 20-year-old revealed that he had told Brendan Rodgers of his intention to leave Anfield this summer, despite the club insisting that he would be going nowhere.

  15. May 20: Reds reject United swoop

    Liverpool moved swiftly to reject a staggering enquiry from Manchester United about Sterling's availability.

  16. May 21: Agent claims Sterling "definitely" won't sign a new deal

    Sterling's outspoken agent, Aidy Ward, reportedly told the Evening Standard that his client would not sign a new deal with Liverpool and also branded Jamie Carragher "a knob" for his comments deriding Sterling and his representatives' behaviour.

  17. May 21: LFC postpone talks

    Liverpool decided to cancel the proposed meeting with Raheem Sterling regarding his future in the wake of his agent's alleged attack on the club.

  18. May 21: Aldo speaks out

    John Aldridge says Raheem Sterling must get rid of his agent after his outburst over the player's future - "If he knew about the game he’d know about respect."

  19. May 21: LFC 'won't be bullied' in Sterling row

    Club explain why they called off talks and set out strategy for battle ahead

  20. May 23 - Mellor: Sterling has a way back at Liverpool

    Former Reds striker says Sterling has 'fabulous natural ability' but must change his agent to build bridges with the club

  21. June 3: Sterling on Madrid's radar

    Rafa Benitez tells press conference of his admiration for the LFC youngster

  22. June 4: LFC have no intention of doing business with Manchester United

    Sterling link to Old Trafford rivals swiftly extinguished by Reds, despite Louis van Gaal admiration

  23. June 7: Sterling booed on England duty

    Irish fans lay into attacker during friendly match, with Roy Hodgson substituting the youngster

  24. June 9: Sterling valued at £59.7m

    Independent research puts huge price tag on LFC youngster

  25. June 11: £30m Man City Sterling bid rejected by Liverpool

    £25m plus add ons deal rejected by Reds, who want much more for young star

  26. June 17: Reds set to reject City's second Sterling bid

    Liverpool resist another approach from Manchester City, with a deal worth £40m offered by the Premier League rivals

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