Bundesliga clubs have been sorting deals with players before the opening of the transfer window for years now, in an attempt to have their squads prepared earlier than their rivals. It’s likely that we’ll see some of the biggest spending in the Bundesliga’s recent history this off-season, also. So who will be emptying their pockets?

Bayern and Dortmund

Well this is certain, really. Germany’s two biggest clubs will spend big this summer, Jürgen Klopp is looking to answer questions over lack of squad depth, while Pep Guardiola may want 1 or 2 names to help the manufacturing of ‘his’ Bayern Munich squad.

Dortmund have already lost Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich, in a deal with a transfer price of €0. BVB have already agreed to sign Hertha BSC striker Adrián Ramos for around €11m, but that’s just the start of their plans. Nuri Sahin has also agreed to return to the club from Real Madrid, for around €7m.

With two deals confirmed, speculation has of course continued. Over the last few weeks Dortmund have been progressively linked with Freiburg’s Matthias Ginter, a deal that could be anywhere up to €10m. On Thursday, Michael Zorc along with other Dortmund representatives travelled to Turin and met with Torino and Juventus’ co-owned striker Ciro Immobile. Dortmund won’t be able to replace Lewandowski with just Ramos, that’s for certain. So another goalscorer would be perfect, and who better than this season’s Serie A top scorer, Immobile.

For Bayern, it’s a case of strengthening where possible. With Lewandowski already signed, Bayern will be looking to bring in another defensive option. Long-term absentee Holger Badstuber will return for the start of next season, but with the expected departure of Daniel van Buyten, Bayern will have only 3 first-team central defenders.

The main target according to German and Spanish press is Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte. The 19-year old French defender has a €36m release-clause which Bayern would have no trouble in activating, if they feel he’s worth the price. Bayern could also be losing a few stars, with Toni Kroos linked away, aswell as Javi Martinez. The Bavarians could be forced into replacing sold players, so we’ll wait to see if more names leave Munich.

Wolfsburg

After the trouble that ‘The Wolves’ have suffered since their Bundesliga title win in 2008-09, next season is being tipped as their biggest chance of reaching the dizzy heights of the Champions League again.

The signing of Kevin de Bruyne for €19m in January lead to plenty of speculation about the players that VfL will be looking to sign this summer. Wolfsburg have already qualified into the Europa League, so will be in Europe next season, no matter what happens on the final day. This is key; with de Bruyne the figurehead signing of a new era, European football can attract the higher standard of player VfL need.

Wolfsburg were able to tie down key-man Ivica Olić to a two-year contract, which pleased the fans no end. With a midfield containing de Bruyne, Arnold, Luiz Gustavo, Malanda etc; that may not be the position they look to sign players in. A striker is needed to support Olić, with Bas Dost in and out of form. The foundations are there, though; they wouldn’t be sat 5th in the Bundesliga if the squad wasn’t good enough, so it’s just about signing players who can improve the team gradually.

Hoffenheim

The club that people love to hate in Germany is set for a tasty summer. After an exciting season in terms of entertainment factor, this village side is likely to improve its defence, which was the issue this season.

It was all about holding onto their best attacking talents for Hoffenheim this summer. Roberto Firmino has signed a new contract and Kevin Volland has gone on record saying he will be at the club next season, so their biggest task is done before the window has started.

As I said, it’s about the defence for Hoffenheim. They’ve already lost the flexible American full-back Fabian Johnson, to Mönchengladbach. Oliver Baumann, Freiburg's shot-stopper, has reportedly signed a deal with the club, a position of worry for Hoffenheim over the last few years. Still, however, improvement is needed if the club wants to push forward after an indifferent season. Depth is also a key improvement needed, with just 13 players reaching over 30 appearances for the season, and just 17 in double figures overall.

M’Gladbach

Mönechengladbach have been the perfect example of how Bundesliga clubs tend to tie down signings before the transfer window has opened. The nearly men of German football are looking to bring back past glory in the next few years under Lucian Favre.

M’Gladbach headed towards the Ruckründe knowing it was likely that Marc-André ter Stegen and Juan Arango would be leaving the club. With plenty of time to think about replacements, M’Gladbach have acted quickly and sorted out replacements before the season’s end. Yann Sommer and André Hahn will join the club, along with Fabian Johnson of Hoffenheim. Ibrahima Traore’s arrival from Stuttgart makes it 4 key signings before the window has opened.

Many tipped them to achieve Chapions League qualification this season, myself being one. But poor form in the second half of the season has seen them drop down the table. However, European football is confirmed for next season, something of real importance again for attracting better players

Support for Max Kruse, or even competition for the forward, would be welcomed by the fans, I’m sure. His form dropped drastically towards the end of the season, with just 4 goals in the Ruckründe. Only he and Raffael scored in double figures this season, an area Favre will be wanting to add to.

Leverkusen

It’s been an emotionally draining season for B04 fans, after dreadful form at the start of the Ruckründe saw Sami Hyypiä lose his job. Sascha Lewandowski came in and has kept them in a European place. After confirming Red Bull Salzburg manager Roger Schmidt would be taking over, speculation has built over who we could see in red and black next season.

Leverkusen have already lost one of their stars, Sidney Sam, for the ludicrous price of €2.5m to rivals Schalke, and will not want to see anymore leave. The man at Bayer, Lars Bender, has had speculation over his head for months, even after signing a new deal until 2019 in December. He recently confirmed he has no interest in leaving the club, which means that although they’ll lose Sam, they’ll likely keep the core of their squad together.

A man that Leverkusen are looking ever more likely to welcome over the summer is Nürnberg’s shining light, Josip Drmić. The man linked with moves around Europe after an impressive first Bundesliga season has reportedly agreed a €6m deal to move across the country.

It’s being suggested that Schmidt will certainly be looking to bring players from his fantastic Salzburg squad to Leverkusen. Sadio Mane has been strongly linked with following his manager across Europe, aswell as Jonathan Soriano. Rudi Voller has assured Schmidt that he will have money to spend, so with a great chance to build his reputation in Europe, Schmidt must spend on what he needs, not wants.

These are the clubs I expect to spend most in the summer, with a few more likely to strengthen their squads. Honourable mentions go to Hertha BSC, Schalke and Stuttgart.

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