We’re now just days away from the official opening of the January transfer window and Manchester United fans – in fact, most football enthusiasts in England – will be hoping it’s as exciting as the last.
The Red Devils spent an incredible £150million during the summer, marking the second-most expensive transfer window in the history of the sport, and recent speculation claims they could be splashing the cash equally as lavishly in the New Year.
Indeed, United look a formidable outfit under van Gaal but they’re still a level behind Chelsea and Manchester City in terms of the Premier League title race. Some expensive winter acquisitions could change that however, so with that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE well-known, highly-priced targets the Red Devils should break the bank for.
MATS HUMMELS
//www.youtube.com/embed/cOlTY9h1IsA
Age: 25
Positions: Centre-back, defensive midfield
Teams: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, German national team
Honours: Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, Champions League finalist 2013, World Cup 2014
Linked clubs: Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid
Likely transfer fee: £47million, according to the Express
Manchester United’s first port of call this January must be securing the services of a top quality centre-back and their priority target remains Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels.
The German World Cup winner is considered to be one of the leading centre-halves in world football, through his blend of aerial dominance, anticipatory defending and a Franz-Beckenbaur-esque ability to instigate or join attacks from deep positions.
That makes him an ideal fit for Louis van Gaal’s progressive philosophy and likely a natural suitor to a three-man defence as well. The 25 year-old dismissed United’s interest during the summer, instead accepting the club captaincy at Westfalen.
But with Dortmund now lingering just a place above the bottom of the Bundesliga table on goal difference alone, recent reports claim he could be tempted into jumping ship when the transfer window reopens.
JAN VERTONGHEN
//www.youtube.com/embed/LVgHB_IGKpk
Age: 27
Positions: Centre-back, Left-back, defensive midfield
Teams: Ajax, Tottenham, Belgium national team
Honours: Eredivisie tiles in 2010/11 and 2011/12, Ajax Player of the Year 2011/12, Premier League Team of the Year 2012/13
Linked clubs: Arsenal, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United,
Likely transfer fee: £17million, according to Mirror Football
An alternative to Mats Hummels comes in the form of Tottenham’s Jan Veronghen. He’s never quite matched the sensational form of his first season in the Premier League, as detailed below:
But the Belgium international’s progressive, front-footed style – not to mention his footballing education at the Ajax academy – should particularly strike a chord with Louis van Gaal.
He’s experienced, versatile and – in theory – perfect for a back three, and although Vertonghen’s form can often be turbulent, on his day, the 27 year-old is unquestionably one of the Premier League’s best centre-halves.
Spurs are often reluctant to sell to divisional rivals unless there’s considerable compensation involved. But having recently rejected a contract extension at White Hart Lane, the Lilywhites might be convinced into letting Vertonghen go in January.
JUAN CUADRADO
//www.youtube.com/embed/lajEptHUxD0
Age: 26
Positions: Almost a utility man, virtually any position except for defensive midfield, centre-half and centre-forward
Teams: Independiente Medellin, Udinese, Fiorentina, Colombian national team
Interested clubs: Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester City
Likely transfer fee: £27million release clause
In comparison to prior United sides, the current crop is worryingly light on width and penetration going forward; Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado could be the perfect remedy.
The South American’s blend of pace, stamina and tenacity has seen him tear apart Serie A over the last 18 months, amassing 16 goals and eight assists in his last 45 league outings. He brought his form to the World Cup in Brazil too, finishing up with the joint-most assists of any player alongside United’s own Daley Blind.
Perhaps most importantly, Cuadrado is exceptionally versatile, as detailed below:
With Antonio Valencia’s contribution going forward often leaving a lot to be desired, the 26 year-old could prove a far more effective and adventurous option in the right wing-back role.
SAMI KHEDIRA
//www.youtube.com/embed/RetIjHKY6pA
Age: 27
Positions: Central Midfield
Teams: Stuttgart, Real Madrid, German National Team
Honours: Bundesliga title 2006/07, La Liga title 2011/12, Copa Del Rey 2010/11, 2013/14, Champions League title 2013/14, World Cup 2014
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea
Likely transfer fee: €18million, according to Inside Spanish Football
Manchester United are still lacking balance in the middle of the park and an energetic enforcer of the Sami Khedira variety certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
The German international is undoubtedly up there in Europe’s central midfield elite, having won a Champions League title and a World Cup in 2014. His undying stamina and ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch is exactly what United should be looking for.
Rather conveniently, Khedira looks to be on his way out of the Bernabeu too, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season and an extension becoming increasingly unlikely. That could result in him leaving on the cheap in January, but some reports claim he’s already agreed a move to Arsenal.
KEVIN STROOTMAN
//www.youtube.com/embed/_Wq8cQ-ldJo
Age: 24
Positions: Central Midfield
Teams: Sparta Rotterdam, Utrecht, PSV, Roma, Netherlands National Team
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea
Likely transfer fee: £30million, according to The Express, £79million according to Roma
A firm favourite of Louis van Gaal during his time as Netherlands boss and often referred to as ‘the Dutch Roy Keane’, it’s likely Kevin Strootman would’ve signed for Manchester United during the summer had it not been for a World Cup-ending ACL injury.
The 24 year-old ticks all the boxes for United; he’s industrious, tidy on the ball, a regular contributor to the goal tally and a natural leader, having served as PSV captain and even worn the armband for Oranje on occasion.
The only issue is that he joined Roma just 18 months ago, and that’s understandably made them very reluctantly to sell. With continual hints at an exit from the Stadio Olympico however, it seems inevitable that the Dutch enforcer will turn up at Old Trafford at some point over the next two transfer windows.