Football: Decisive summer ahead for Premier League heavyweights

The Premier League top four have plenty of business to attend to this summer - and the outcomes could affect the title race for the next five years, at least. With parity at an all-time high across the league, the stakes have never been higher for transfer market wheeling and dealing.

It is no secret that Manchester United are in a transitional phase, with Gary Neville, Edwin van der Sar and Paul Scholes retiring and Ryan Giggs likely to follow suit in the next year or so. The likes of Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling, Rafael and Fabio have shown signs that they will play big roles in the next era at Old Trafford and Sir Alex Ferguson has moved to inject more energy into his squad this summer.

England under 21 international Phil Jones impressed at Blackburn this season and will have the chance to blossom at United after completing a move worth a reported £17 million. Comfortable in defence or midfield, he looks a big talent and, though it is early days on this, a future captain. Ferguson is also targeting Spanish under 21 goalkeeper David De Gea and Aston Villa attacker Ashley Young.

There is no question that United's weaknesses lie across the midfield - and Jones and Young, though both unproven at the highest level, would go some way to addressing those concerns. However, expect United to continue their hunt for a Luka Modric or Wesley Sneijder-type playmaker to operate in central midfield.

Meanwhile, Chelsea parted company with Carlo Ancelotti and have a managerial vacancy to fill. Make no mistake, the Blues are an aging group, with so much still resting on the shoulders of Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba. £50 million signing Fernando Torres had a nightmare start to his Chelsea career and regulars like Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel appeared to go backwards last season. Major improvement will be expected from all three.

The Blues have big decisions ahead - first, naming a manager who will be given the chance to prove himself over several seasons and then fitting younger, mobile players around the experienced core. With the right supporting cast, Terry and Lampard could have three more quality years left in them.
 

Over at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger extended his trophy-less streak to six seasons after his players faded down the home stretch. Despite the glaringly obvious weaknesses in the Gunners squad, Wenger has been reluctant to spend big money on a proven goalkeeper and a dominant centre-back. Money must be spent this summer or Cesc Fabregas and others will surely jump ship.

Few could deny that the squad currently lacks leadership, a ruthless finisher in the final third and the mental strength to last the pace - yet the Gunners were not that far away from proving the critics wrong. Had Nemanja Vidic been at the heart of Arsenal's defence, they might well have won the title.

Jack Wilshere and Samir Nasri showed real promise while Robin van Persie had a hot streak in front of goal but Wenger needs to spend upwards of £40 million to turn this team into title contenders. The club has been linked with Lille forward Gervinho and this would be an encouraging start to a make or break summer. As much as anything, the Gunners must show the intent to break the United-Chelsea strangle hold.

And, of course, it is always a safe bet to assume that Manchester City will flex their financial muscles during a summer transfer window. Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez is already on their radar and others will surely follow. Wide men and creative midfielders are the order of the day for City, who must relieve Carlos Tevez of the monstrous burden of carrying the attack.

So, all four teams will be spending money this summer and all four will know that only top spot is good enough. When you throw a revived Liverpool side into the mix, it becomes even clearer that the transfer activity over the next two months will go a long way to shaping the Premier League landscape for the rest of the decade.