Opinion: Work to be done for Pep

The summer is here. That means months of cricket, Grand Slams, youth football and the transfer window hysteria before we kick a ball again in the Bundesliga.

It's a time when squads are rebuilt and outgoing players are replaced by expensive, blue-chip additions. Champions Bayern Munich has the biggest challenge of staying at the top, domestically, but evolving enough to succeed in Europe is the key.

What's more, an ageing squad with key players on the decline means this summer above all is pretty crucial in building a foundation for a future after Guardiola leaves.

Against Barcelona last month, Bayern's midfield was comprised of over-30 players - Bastian Schweinsteiger, Xabi Alonso and Philipp Lahm. To be as competent, penetrative and dominant as Barca were on that night - and in the final in Berlin - then Matthias Sammer, the club's sporting director, has some big calls to make.

One of those reportedly on Bayern's radar is Southampton's Sadio Mane. The 23-year-old - who scored the fastest ever Premier League hat-trick in 2014/15 - would be a perfect addition to Guardiola's squad. He can change gear seamlessly, and is well-versed in high-pressing football having played for Red Bull Salzburg under Roger Schmidt.

Not a conventional winger as such, Mane has spent time on the left-flank before. A really interesting balance could pop up between Mane, David Alaba, if he resumes in midfield, and someone more creative like Mario Götze.

But talk of replacing the ingenuity and tricky-feet of Franck Ribery with Mane is perhaps exaggerated. Bayern would still need to improve their options in attack, with-or-without a more dynamic midfield player.

Kevin de Bruyne remains the man in the spotlight. He and his representatives sit between a rock and a hard place: Sign a new deal with Wolfsburg, or wait until one of Europe's top clubs come calling this summer. One of those might be Bayern; others include Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain.

Guardiola is apparently a fan of Atletico Madrid's Antonie Griezmann, the French attacker who has had an excellent season at the Vicente Calderon. Felipe Anderson of Lazio is high on the wanted list too, if you believe the speculation.

But until there's confirmation, that's all it is: speculation. Bayern will probably wait until closer to pre-season to complete any business with tournaments scheduled across the globe.

Nevertheless, that won't stop the never-ending cycle of rumors and hysterics! Welcome to silly season.

Which players do you think Bayern Munich should try to sign this summer? How should Guardiola and Sammer change the squad ahead of next season? Join the discussion below.