The World Cup is over: Let the transfers commence!

With Germany now the undisputed heavyweight champions of the world, expect to see plenty of Bavarian names in the proceeding paragraphs. Just like Spanish players became a hot commodity after 2010, and how the Italians were mostly shipped off to Real Madrid in 2006. A couple of names are already being thrown about, along with some very enticing imminent transfers.

Right off the bat, Alexis Sanchez has signed for Arsenal for roughly £35m, which is honestly some pretty good value. Sanchez was one of the best players at the World Cup, and he has the ability to be used as a striker or in his usual wing position. The Gunners get some width and a direct attacking threat, while Barcelona recoup some of the massive Suarez fee. By the way, because of his ban, Barcelona aren’t allowed to publically parade Suarez around like they obviously wish they could – speech in the middle of the Nou Camp to a crowd full of fans and all – but it’s signed, sealed and delivered. All yours. Sanchez is Arsene Wenger’s first signing of the summer, though Mathieu Debuchy will be there too as soon as Newcastle can replace him. Daryl Janmaat (of Holland fame) is in town for a medical ahead of a £5m move to the Magpies. Colombian keeper David Ospina will soon transfer to the Emirates to play second fiddle to Wojnoj Scheznoj (or however you spell it…). And – GERMAN ALERT – those Sami Khedira to Arsenal rumours are sounding a little more legit with that pairing starting to gain momentum. Some say he’s already signed! Another midfielder clearly shouldn’t be the priority for the Gunners, though at least he’s a different option. It’s his partnership with Mesut Özil that’s getting Wegner on the phone. Mikel Arteta is expected to leave, by the way.

It’s actually been pretty busy for Newcastle recently, with Frenchman Remy Cabella signed for an undisclosed fee, and Siem De Jong on his way too (£6m from Ajax). They’re definitely in need of a centre forward or two though, with Loic Remy back at QPR (who are digging in their heels despite a release clause that means Liverpool or Arsenal could have him for £8.5). Monaco forward Emmanuel Riviere could be one.

The team with all the money though is Manchester United. After it was revealed that Nike were backing out of their 10 year shirt sponsorship with the Red Devils, Adidas swooped (another victory for the Germans…). Starting from the 2015/16 season, they’ve agreed a 10 year £750m partnership. Wow. Thassalottamoney. Enough to pay off any remaining debt, and easily the biggest such deal of all time. There’s a whole year to go until that sets in though. Priority numero uno is Louis Van Gaal and the transfer window. He’s supposedly told Eddy Woodward that he has three major targets: Arturo Vidal, Mats Hummels (GERMAN ALERT) and Angel Di Maria. Differing sources are repeating differing things over the prospects of each of those moves. One thing we can mostly say is that Man Utd have finally spoken to Vidal’s agent (who’s in London for fellow represented player Alexis Sanchez), and if it’s true that Juventus are after Paulinho, then perhaps things are really moving. United definitely won’t be signing Stefan De Vrij, who is expected to join Lazio in the Serie A. Oh, and Patrice Evra will be allowed to join Juventus for a small fee too. That’ll mean only Rooney and Carrick remain from the XI that started (and won) the 2008 Champions League final.

We know Liverpool are ready to make it rain with all that Luis Suarez money, and this time they’re travelling further than Southampton. 20 year old Serbia winger Lazar Markovic is perhaps just seconds away from completing a £20m transfer from Benfica. He had a medical this morning. There’s a nasty rumour that LFC are gonna launch a massive offensive to get Marco Reus – GERMAN ALERT - but that’s a long shot. Reus apparently lost out on a Barcelona move when they went for Suarez instead. Hmm. Full back Alberto Moreno seems a more likely buy, with negotiations now back underway for the Sevilla man. Swiss striker Xherdan Shaqiri is off the table (Bayern want him to stick around since Mario Mandzukic has left for Atletico Madrid), but Divock Origi and Arda Turan are still possibilities. Especially the former, who was reportedly spotted at the Reds training ground this week. Expect the 19 year old Belgian to spend a year on loan if he does sign. As for direct Suarez replacements, Wilfried Bony and Romelu Lukaku are both allegedly in advanced talks. That’ll piss of the Evertonians, who wanted Lukaku back in blue.

Whoa, someone check the clocks, is it 2004 all over again? With Demba Ba on the verge of a loan to Besiktas or somewhere similar, Jose Mourinho may strengthen his Chelsea striking corps with… Didier Drogba! Talks have commenced. If it happens, it’ll be a short term contract like Samuel Eto’o’s last season. Definitely one for the nostalgics amongst us (myself included).

Filipe Luis to Chelsea is gonna happen soon. The Atletico fullback will be a direct replacement for David ‘Calamity’ Luiz. Only £30m cheaper and capable of sticking to a position. Young Player of the World Cup Paul Pogba hasn’t been heard of in these columns recently. If Juve are open to selling Vidal, then Pogba won’t be moving. The whole Pogba/Chelsea thing started because he was spotted playing as CFC on Football Manager – with himself in the midfield. It’s easy to forget that Chelsea have already signed Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa.

GERMAN ALERT – Read into that quote what you will, but I read into it that Toni Kroos is signing with Real Madrid and it’ll be a dream come true. As expected. It’s said to be around £20m, so plenty left over for Falcao and James Rodriguez should that be on the table, especially once Angel Di Maria signs for PSG. Or Man Utd if you believe those talks. LVG wants him apparently, but PSG are favourites.

Spurs wanna spend some money, but their usual strategy of selling guys to fund that is backfiring, as the blokes they wanna part with (Dawson, Sigurdsson) don’t wanna leave, while Jan Vertongen – who they wanna keep after an impressive World Cup – is a major target of Barcelona (who are also fishing for defenders Marquinhos, Jeremy Mathieu and (GERMAN ALERT) Mats Hummels). Everton have been quiet, though Bosnian Mohamed Besic could be close. They’ve got plenty of competition for former Toffee Jack Rodwell as well, both from ENG and abroad.

Defending champs Manchester City (nope, haven’t forgotten them!) may seem quiet, but that’s only by their own standards. After Fernando signed, they’re ready to give Porto even more money by buying Eliaquim Mangala, a highly rated young French defender, for in excess of £30m. Willy Caballero is their new no. 2 keeper also.

West Ham are gonna sign Enner Valencia (the Ecuadorian who kept scoring headers). That’d be a ruthless aerial combination with Andy Carroll if only Stewart Downing could cross. And in a final rumour nice and close to home, Winston Reid is being offered a massive pay rise by the Hammers to stave off scrounging interest from the likes of Everton, Arsenal, Newcastle and ‘others’.

Eso es todo, amigos.