The summer transfer window is log-jammed.

Several of Europe’s biggest clubs have pressing on-field needs, and assuming they have the resources to fund the transactions they’ve already been considering, we could be in for one of the most action-packed registration periods in professional football history.

But first something has to give—one club or another has to make the first big splash by signing a high-profile player.

From there the dam will break, and a flood of transfer activity will surely follow.

The prospective move of Liverpool’s Luis Suarez to Real Madrid could be just that transfer, and according to The Mirror, the 26-year-old looks to be closer than ever to an Anfield-Bernabeu switch.

But what would follow?

Using the powers of speculation, here are the big moves that could happen once the Uruguay international arrives in the Spanish capital.

Step 1: Luis Suarez departs Liverpool after two-and-a-half productive, albeit controversial, seasons in exchange for £40 million—According to The Guardian, the forward, who would be suspended to start the season at Liverpool as a result of the Branislav Ivanovic biting incident, has a release clause which Liverpool would prefer be met rather than negotiating a less lucrative sale.

Step 2: Barcelona sign Juan Mata—With their archrivals having thrown down the gauntlet with the acquisition of Suarez, the Catalans move quickly to pry Juan Mata from Chelsea. The Daily Mail has speculated the Chelsea playmaker would cost upwards of £30 million.

Step 3: Chelsea swoop for Robert Lewandowski—Not that they need the money, but the £30 million windfall from the Mata sale could be put to use immediately at Stamford Bridge. Incoming manager Jose Mourinho will hardly be short of playmaking options in the attacking third, but he may wish to add a striker to lead the line.

Lewandowski has scored 66 goals in the past two seasons for Borussia Dortmund, and while a transfer isn’t necessarily all that likely (at least this summer), it’s possible he could still be acquired for the right price, according to the Standard.

Step 4: Manchester United sign Thiago Alcantara for £17 million—With Chelsea having signalled their intentions ahead of the Premier League season, Manchester United ink Barcelona playmaker Thiago Alcantara, who was one of the stars of the recently completed European U-21 Championship.

It’s already being reported by the Daily Mail that the Red Devils have agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old who, with Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas getting consistent minutes in the Barcelona midfield, is hopeful of leaving Camp Nou in search of first-team football.

Step 5: Arsenal pick up Manchester United outcast Wayne Rooney—Having twice requested a transfer away from Old Trafford, Rooney is finally granted his wish and is acquired by Arsenal, who according to the Daily Mail are thought to have a £70 million transfer kitty at their disposal.

Thiago’s arrival in Manchester, coupled with increased minutes for Shinji Kagawa next season and the goalscoring presence of Robin van Persie, have demonstrated United’s willingness to proceed without Rooney, and they allow him to leave for North London.

Step 6: Manchester City pay £54 million for Napoli’s Edinson Cavani—As if Manchester City would sit pat as their Premier League rivals made high-profile acquisitions ahead of the 2013-14 season.

With Jesus Navas and Fernandinho having already been signed by the Eastlands outfit from Sevilla and Shakhtar Donetsk, respectively, the club continues its overhaul by acquiring want-away Napoli frontman Edinson Cavani, who is currently on duty with Uruguay at the Confederations Cup.

Step 7: Napoli sign Mario Gomez from Bayern Munich—Having missed out on Luis Suarez and watched as Edinson Cavani bolted for Manchester City, new Napoli manager Rafael Benitez splashes the cash to land Mario Gomez from Bayern Munich.

The two clubs were thought to have a deal in place for the Germany striker earlier this month, according to Football Italia, but running out of options, Benitez’ interest in Gomez is reignited, and he signs him from the European champions.

Step 8: Juventus swap €20 million plus Luca Marrone and Manolo Gabbiadini for Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic—Napoli came second to Juventus in Serie A last season, so with Gomez joining the Partenopei, the Bianconeri address their own concerns up top.

Alessandro Matri, Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella never managed to really assert themselves in the starting striker’s role at Juventus last season, and with that in mind the Scudetto holders move for Jovetic, who scored 13 Serie A goals last season.

Midfielder Luca Marrone and forward Manolo Gabbiadini, who starred at the European U-21 Championship, have been offered as makeweights in the deal, according to Football Italia.

Step 9: AC Milan sign Carlos Tevez from Manchester City—With Juventus having strengthened their attack in the form of Jovetic, AC Milan look to boost their title challenge by acquiring Carlos Tevez from Manchester City for £15 million, a possibility suggested by the Mirror.

City, meanwhile, have no use for the troubled forward after bringing Cavani in from Napoli.

Step 10: Liverpool acquire David Villa from Barcelona—We have come full circle. Suarez has left Anfield; Barcelona have made David Villa available following the acquisitions of Neymar and Juan Mata. Do the math.

Liverpool were rumoured to be in for Villa less than a month ago, according to the Guardian, and with an obvious need for attacking talent, Brendan Rodgers moves to bring the 31-year-old to Anfield.

And there you have it—some fun speculation as to what might transpire should Real Madrid take Luis Suarez off Liverpool’s hands. Let’s see how many of those steps end up happening.