7 major stars top clubs should build their team around for the 2015/16 season

Will Juventus sell Paul Pogba or keep him in Turin and build the team around him?

With the new club season just a few weeks away, Europe’s top sides are continuing to trawl through the transfer market in search of the best stars. Getting these sort of key decisions right can often pre-determine just how well a season can go – just look at Barcelona’s decision to bring Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic on board as they stormed to a treble-winning season.

Incidentally, the Blaugrana don’t feature in our list due to the hefty restrictions of their transfer ban.

It doesn’t always go to plan, but when it does, the rewards can be spectacular. Top clubs everywhere have already engaged in off-field battles for the players they so desperately want. Some have been silently intriguing tugs-of-war while others have borne a closer resemblance to an out-in-the-open fracas. Others, of course, have yet to fully develop.

We take a look at the big names that some of the best clubs should look to build around ahead of the 2015/16 season.

7) Carlos Bacca – Arsenal or Manchester United

A few seasons ago, the current Sevilla star was a completely unknown commodity. But now, he’s one of the hottest properties in the beautiful game. Having sky-rocketed to fame after an incredible campaign with Unai Emery’s charges, Bacca was an integral member of the squad that clinched a historic fourth Europa League crown.

Now, talk has begun to emanate about a potential move away for the rags-to-riches player. Manchester United and Arsenal have both been linked with the Colombian’s services, as relayed by The Express.

One of the deadliest strikers in the modern game, his 20 La Liga goals combined with his seven across the continent mean that he is good enough for the best of the best. Although the Premier League is his most obvious destination, he would fit in perfectly just about anywhere.

Indeed, with both the Red Devils and the Gunners crying out for a consistent goalscorer to challenge Chelsea’s supremacy, a fearless Bacca might just be the key component needed to catapult them past the reigning champions. He already knows how to conquer Europe; perhaps England will be his next port of call?

6) Harry Kane – Manchester United

Following a whirlwind season at White Hart Lane with Tottenham Hotspur, Kane sparked an unprecedented level of interest in his talent. Indeed, it’s been a long while since an English centre-forward has been this talked about, and the general consensus is that the Lilywhites front-man can continue to live up to the hype.

Providing a cut-throat element to Spurs’ attack last season, he couldn’t stop hitting the back of the net. Memorably, he inspired Mauricio Pochettino’s men to a huge 5-3 win against the Blues back in the new year when he slotted home a delectable double.

Adding a clinical string to their bow that has often been lacking, he briefly fuelled their hopes for European football, despite not actually getting there. Of course, Manchester United recently unveiled their interest in bringing the England U21 international on board, per Sky Sports, and it is clear to see why Louis Van Gaal should look to bring him in as the goal-scoring machine they so desperately crave, especially now that Radamel Falcao has parted ways with the 13-time Premier League winners.

He could be the missing ingredient they desire.

5) Sergio Aguero – Real Madrid

A shining star for Manchester City last season, Aguero enjoyed quite a number of personal successes along the way, despite missing out on any silverware. Bagging 26 league goals, he was the leading scorer in the English top flight last season, managing to out-do both Kane and Diego Costa.

Now, Real Madrid are in the hunt for his unique skills, as they look to start building a head of steam as well as wrestling back control from Barcelona; both domestically and in the chase for the European Cup. Last season, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo led the line for Los Blancos in sublime fashion, but there were times the duo were relied on too much – particularly the Portuguese superstar, whose antics and apparent selfishness got in the way of team glory.

In short, Aguero could be the humble hero the Madridistas crave.

4) Mario Mandzukic – Manchester United

Eyed up by Manchester United, Mandzukic could be set to make his Premier League debut this year, particularly now that his relationship with Atletico Madrid has soured a great deal. On the look-out for a consistent net-rattler, his attributes as a quality marksman might not have stolen the headlines in the season just gone by, but he has proven himself in the past.

With that, the industrious frontman is keen to get his career back on track and a move to Old Trafford would see him shift into a much healthier environment where his services are badly needed. In truth, he could be employed a little deeper than simply an out-and-out striker and his adaptable nature would work well with United because he can hold the ball up superbly and would be able to bring so many others into any free-flowing moves they might create.

A tremendous goalscorer when he has the right set-up around him, he’d surely flourish with Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Memphis Depay threading passes through to him.

If the move was to go through, Mandzukic will hope his stint goes a lot better than fellow countryman and namesake Mario Stanic who once won just a Community Shield with Chelsea 15 years ago.

3) Geoffrey Kondogbia - AC Milan

Though some will argue that AC Milan are no longer a powerhouse in the European game, they look ready to dismantle those preconceptions with a raid on the transfer market. Aided and abetted by a blank cheque approach, Kondogbia appears to be at the top of their list.

Aiming for youth over experience, the Rossoneri have their sights set on wiping the slate clean. Implementing a few promising players keen to prove themselves, it seems as though they want their future in the hands of the hustle, bustle and energy of rising stars. According to TalkSport, the 22-year-old Frenchman is nearing a deal with the club which could see him become the new face of a new era that looks set to be ushered in.

If anyone needs proof just how big of an impact a defensive midfielder can have on a team’s fortunes, they need look no further than another French success story in Francis Coquelin, whose intelligent play enabled Arsene Wenger’s men to play with confidence and class moving forward. Perhaps Kondogbia will have a similar effect in Milan.

2) Gonzalo Higuain – Arsenal

Close to going all the way in Europe’s secondary club competition under Rafael Benitez, the Napoli forward almost ended the season as a champion. Now, calls continue to emerge from England, looking for a high-quality goal-poacher.

More precisely, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked with the Argentine’s services, and with him currently on international duty in Chile, it’s unlikely he will make a decision on any tabled bids any time soon.

In total, the Partenopei player grabbed 18 goals in the league last season and was just four short of catching up with a revitalised Luca Toni. Much like his interest in pursuing Bacca, Arsene Wenger has his sights on Higuain because they need a regular scorer to compete with Olivier Giroud.

At 27 years of age, he’s far from past his best and could use his upcoming peak period to fire any interested suitors to victory and silverware in the coming few months.

1) Paul Pogba – Manchester City

Paul Pogba Juve — Paul Pogba – Europe's most wanted midfielder?

Arguably the most wanted player on the planet right now, Pogba is in high demand with suitors lining up left, right and centre. In June, the Italy international was on the cusp of European glory with Juventus following a tremendous double-winning campaign, winning league and cup winners’ medals, but it just wasn’t to be.

Indeed, it’s that loss which could fuel his desire to move away. If he wants to get his hands on “ol’ big ears” any time soon, he might just have to make his exit elsewhere, instead of battling against the tide of money and power that the biggest clubs continue to lord over everyone else.

Recently, the Gazzetta dello Sport (reported in the Mirror) reported that Manchester City had bid a staggering £58 million for his services – a bold move that is expected to spark a bidding war involving Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Real Madrid, too. Admiring glances continue to be thrown in his direction and it’s easy to see why.

Clearly one of the most creative performers in the world game, his nine goals and six assists between Serie A and Champions League appearances underline precisely why he is so highly sought after. A graceful instigator, his accurate passing and deadly use of the ball would certainly give the Citizens the boost they need, and it would be the perfect way to claim vengeance over their noisy neighbours who neglected to let Pogba go all those years ago.

Edited by Staff Editor