Top 5 Transfer Sagas of the Summer – Sports On Earth

Summertime is silly season in world soccer. Clubs are moving and shaking, trying to improve their squads before seasons begin anew in August. And like every summer, there are a handful of players that seem destined to leave their current clubs. (Or, at least, are rumored to be destined to leave their current clubs.)

Without any club matches going on, the eyes of the soccer world turn toward these transfer sagas. Last year, it was Paul Pogba's move from Juventus to Manchester United that was the story of the summer. And in the years before that, the sagas of Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas, to name only a few, dominated the tabloids.

This year is no different, with some of the best players in the world rumored to be searching for greener pastures. These storylines will be long and drawn out -- and can drive you insane if you're a fan of team rumored to be buying or selling one of these players.

Here are the ones that will have our full attention.

Potential destination: Manchester United

The world's best player's potential move away from Real Madrid is the biggest transfer saga of the summer, but it also has the biggest potential to be a red herring. Ronaldo's camp leaked to reporters that he wants to leave Spain, which some have described as an "irreversible" decision based on a supposed feeling of persecution stemming allegations that he committed tax fraud in the ballpark of 15 million.

One reason Ronaldo's team went public with this may be to get the executives at Real Madrid -- who hold sway within the Spanish government -- to support him more fervently with regard to the allegations. Now that such support has come, any chances of Ronaldo leaving the European champs seems to have diminished. But whether or not Ronaldo is actually thinking about demanding a transfer doesn't matter anymore. This story will generate headline after headline over the next two months, regardless of the veracity of reports.

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Potential destinations: Arsenal, Real Madrid

Arsenal has needed a top striker since Robin van Persie left the club in 2012. Every summer since, there's been a big-name forward rumored to be headed for the Emirates, before Arsene Wenger's notoriously tight pockets have always put the kibosh on any move. This year, the rumored player is 18-year-old Monaco sensation Mbappe, perhaps the best young player on the planet.

Arsenal would have to explode their current record transfer f ee to pry Mbappe from Monaco, possibly exceeding 100 million. With some kind of moves needed to appease the fanbase after a disappointing season, it's possible the Gunners make one of the biggest transfers ever -- they've got the cash -- but it still seems far-fetched. Real Madrid s also rumored to be in for him, to either replace Ronaldo or Alvaro Morata. But as far as Arsenal and Mbappe goes, I'll file it under, "I'll believe it when I see it."

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Potential destinations: China, Atletico Madrid

Despite being a key cog in Chelsea's Premier League-winning side, Costa is not in the club's plans for next season. Antonio Conte reportedly let Costa know his fate with the Blues via a 27-word text message that ended with, "Good luck for next year but you are not in my plans." While some of the entries on this list may well end up staying with their current clubs, Costa doesn't seem to be among that group.

Costa will be in someone's plans, though. It's long been rumored that he could make a big money move to China like his former Chelsea teammate Oscar, while a move to the club that put him on the map, Atletico Madrid, is also on the table. I wouldn't rule out a handful of Premier League sides either.

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Potential destinations: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea

Sanchez's transfer saga has been on the mind of Arsenal fans for almost a year now. His contract with the Gunners ends after this season, and when the best players in the world get sold, it's typically when they have one season left on their deals. Arsenal didn't qualify for the Champions League either. With Sanchez being one of the most hyper-competitive players in the world, the lack of UCL soccer only adds to the possibility that the Chilean attacker wants to jump ship.

That leaves Arsenal with two choices: A) keep him on for next season and hope he eventually signs an extension, but risk losing him on a free transfer at this time next year, or B) sell him now and get something for him while they can. If the Gunners go for option B, some of the best clubs in the world will be lining up to sign Sanchez. Arsenal fans will just have to hope the highest bidder isn't a Premier League rival.

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Potential destinations: Manchester United, PSG, Real Madrid

At 18 years old, Donnarumma already has 68 appearances for AC Milan. It's no stretch to say he's the best young keeper in the world. He's already announced he won't extend his contract with Milan, and now some of the world's best clubs are circling for his services. His deal runs for one more year, so it's a good bet that Milan will go ahead and sell him and get as much as they possibly can.

Donnarumma's fate seems tied to the fate of another one of the world's best keepers, David De Gea of Manchester United. De Gea has been rumored as a target of Real Madrid's since last summer. If the Spaniard makes that move, United could swoop in for Donnarumma as his replacement. If De Gea stays put, Real Madrid could instead opt for Donnarumma. There's also the chance that Donnarumma stays this season or signs a short extension in hopes of replacing Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus once the legend finally retires.

Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian could return to Chelsea only a few years after the Blues sold him to Everton for 28 million. But will he want to return to a club that's already kicked him to the curb once?

Antione Greizmann. Top clubs have been knocking since he blew up last year at the World Cup. The two powers in Manchester seem the most likely destinations for the Frehcman.

Virgil Van Dijk. The Dutch defender's move from Southampton to Liverpool seemed imminent at one point. But the Saints are playing hardball after letting many of their best players depart for Anfield over the last few years, and the transfer now seems in doubt.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. Top forwards are always in high demand, and a few of the world's richest clubs (Manchester City, PSG) seem to fancy signing the Dortmund attacker.

David De Gea. Read Madrid's move for De Gea a few years ago was scuttled when they failed to file the necessary paperwork in time. The European champs still want him, but United and Jose Mourinho may not be willing to let one of the world's best keepers go.

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Cy Brown writes about soccer and other stuff for Sports on Earth. Follow him on Twitter@CEPBrown.

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Top 5 Transfer Sagas of the Summer - Sports On Earth