Playing to impress at Euro 2016

With many teams off the pace last season, this transfer window promises to be one of the biggest since the inception of the modern Premier League in 1992, heightened further by the European Championships that kick off in less than a week and the new bumper TV deal.

None of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City or Arsenal will want to see another season pan out like the one last season. Arsenal were able to grab second spot due to the misfortune of Spurs on the final day, while Manchester City undoubtedly underachieved in the first half of the season and then prioritised the Champions League over their league form in the latter stages of the year. Liverpool and Manchester United are both in transition evidenced by the hot and cold form over the season, while Chelsea couldn't recover after a horrific start. On the other hand, Leicester City have the added attraction of Champions League football as well as being part of a fairy tale story while Spurs possess a great young manager and some very talented and young players.

United, Chelsea and City have all acquired new managers, and all have major restructuring to do. City currently have the oldest squad and with Guardiola favouring the youth, we're likely to see some seismic changes. Chelsea clinched the record for the worst title defence off the grateful hands of United who set it a year previous. Failures in developing an attractive style of football coupled with no Champions League football next season ensured a swift exit for Louis Van Gaal, not even a week after his FA Cup triumph. With Brendan Rodgers' squad still at his disposal as we are so often reminded on social media, Jürgen Klopp faces his first transfer window since moving to Anfield in October. He will no doubt plan to strengthen the side with plenty of weaknesses being exposed in the team throughout last season.

With players' agents as sharp as a knife, they will have earmarked the upcoming tournament as one to clinch their clients lucrative new contracts. Number one example of this was James Rodriguez's £50m move from AS Monaco to Real Madrid after the 2014 World Cup. Not all of the transfers after a major tournament turned out to be as successful as that of James' with Spurs signing Roman Pavyluchencho and Arsenal signing Andrei Arshavin after superb performances at Euro 2008. Both careers in North London did not match the fees spent.

Liverpool have started their business early, with the completion of the deal to bring Loris Karius to the club for £4.7m. Rumours of the arrival of Mario Götze on Merseyside were unsurprisingly swiftly refuted, with the German World Cup winner emphasising his allegiance to Bayern Munich. It will not effect Liverpool however with money needed to be spent on more problematic areas of the pitch. Defensively, there is a lot to be desired on in Anfield, and I suspect that this will be the main area where Klopp will spend most of his transfer budget.

In Manchester, Guardiola has already acquired the services of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ikay Gundogan for around £20m. With the Turkish-born German not selected for the German national team among injury fears, he will have the whole summer off to prepare for an assault on the Premier League. Rumours are circulating that the new City boss will embark on a summer spending spree totalling a whopping £250m. There is no doubt that Guardiola will already have specific targets in mind, but he will pay particular attention to the international football that kicks off next week.

Ones to Watch
I've compiled a list of players who are on the radar of Premier League teams or could be vital additions:

Leading that list is Haris Seferovic. Currently plying his trade at Eintracht Frankfurt, the striker has been around the block and it is somewhat surprising to note that he is only 24 years of age. At 6ft 1in, he is a physical presence for defenders to handle and is progressing nicely on the international stage with 7 goals in 29 appearances. With players such as Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka providing the creativity, Seferovic will be not short of any chances but does have competition up front in the form of teenager Breel Embolo.

Wolfsburg left back, Ricardo Rodriguez has been on the radar of several big clubs over the past number of seasons, Arsenal and Manchester United notably. Rodriguez is equally adept at attacking as he is at defending and has exceptional dead ball capabilities and was voted Swiss Footballer of the Year in 2014. With very good stamina, his adventurous runs will cause problems for his opposite number and deliveries will be sure to create chances for his native Switzerland.

A favourite of the English press, Andriy Yarmolenko has been linked to many sides over the last number of years. At 26 and approaching his peak years, the Ukrainian has the physicality - standing at 187cm and 74kg - but also has the panache, often leaving him to be compared to Franck Ribery or Marco Reus. An excellent dribbler, he assisted the most in 2014-2015 Europa League in which Dynamo Kyiv reached the quarter finals. An impressive performance at the Euros and he can finally make the step to England.

Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik is Ajax's golden striker. The Dutch club completed the signing of the 22 year old at the start of this season having completed a loan spell the previous year. Despite not firing the Amsterdam side to the title, Milik recorded 21 goals in 31 league appearances. Experts in nurturing talent, the former Bayer Leverkusen player has made great progress and also has 10 goals in 24 international appearances. Often in the shadows of compatriot Robert Lewandowski, Milik possess great dribbling skills copied from his idol Cristiano Ronaldo. Lewandowski will be the main danger, but to write off Milik as a threat would be a cardinal sin.

I do have lengthy list of players aiming to make the big time at the Euros so will endeavour to share this before the tournament begins on Friday. Feel free to leave suggestions!