Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Ron Vlaar, David De Gea, More

The Premier League season is set to resume following the conclusion of the international break, but the transfer rumours never stop coming and going, with Manchester United once again being linked with a host of top players.

The Red Devils were one of the most active players late in the summer window, and with several needs still to be addressed heading into January, fans and pundits are once again expecting lots of turnover at Old Trafford.

Louis van Gaal and company don't have to worry about transfer funds, meaning seemingly every star in the sport is a possibility. With that in mind, let's have a look at the latest transfer rumours surrounding the club.

Ron Vlaar

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Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar wants his current club to double his wages amid reported interest from the Mancunians, according to the Daily Star's Dave Armitage. The 29-year-old's contract is set to run out in the summer, and even a £50,000-per-week package may not be enough to keep him in Birmingham:

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United boss Louis van Gaal is heading the battle to sign the Dutch international defender, with a host of other top clubs also keen.

World Cup star Vlaar, 29, is not among the high earners at Villa Park and his long-term future remains in doubt given the fact he's out of contract in the summer.

When he joined the club from Feyenoord just over two years ago, Villa weren't splashing the cash.

But Vlaar's representatives know he's now holding all the aces because he would be able to leave on a free in June.

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Vlaar worked under Van Gaal during the 2014 World Cup, playing an excellent tournament, and with the Mancunians struggling for depth in the heart of their defence, the experienced centre-back would present the perfect signing.

The Dutchman is currently sidelined with an injury, and in his absence, both Villa and the national team have struggled. Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe doesn't think it's a coincidence:

Paul Lambert discussed a new deal for Vlaar in September, making it clear the defender was a big part of his plans, via Goal's Harry West:

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We're talking to the respective parties about those so let's see what happens.

You've got to put your best foot forward, as such. We're talking, which is a good thing, so we'll see what can be done.

Vlaar and [Fabian] Delph are different from Jack [Grealish] because they're seasoned pros. We'll see what happens.

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Armitage quotes a £4 million price tag, which would be incredibly low for an experienced Premier League defender. If Vlaar doesn't sign his new contract, however, Villa would be forced to settle for any offer rather than risk losing him to a free transfer.

David De Gea

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Real Madrid are reportedly interested in bringing David de Gea back to the Spanish capital, prompting United to prepare a new £30 million deal including wages of £120,000 per week to keep the Spain international at Old Trafford, via the Daily Mirror's David McDonnell.

De Gea has been instrumental in masking the Red Devils' defensive frailties this season, with the fans rightfully recognising him as the Premier League's best stopper after his heroics against Everton, via The Sun Football:

Via Totally Man Utd, he made it very clear he sees his future playing out in England, not his native Spain:

While teams should always be concerned when Real Madrid are involved (Florentino Perez tends to get what he wants), the new contract coupled with De Gea's comments about the club indicate he has no intention whatsoever of leaving United.

His ascension to being one of the world's best at the position makes him more than deserving of a new deal, and when the 23-year-old signs on the dotted line, the Red Devils will have solidified their situation in goal for the better part of the next decade.

Kevin Strootman

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One of the players who seemingly has a regular spot in these articles (along with Arturo Vidal), AS Roma are reportedly preparing a new contract for Kevin Strootman to fend off any interested parties, per Il Messaggero (h/t Football-italia.net).

The Dutch midfielder is still working his way back from a knee injury that ended his 2013-14 season, but like Vlaar, he is seen as a favourite of Van Gaal from their time together on the Dutch national team.

Any transfer speculation would be dependent on his recovery, but as shared by the club's official Twitter feed, he recently returned to training and could make his full return soon:

As one of the world's best box-to-box midfielders, Strootman would add a much-needed element of stability and physicality to a Red Devils' midfield that has struggled with injuries and inconsistency.

Roma view Strootman as one of their "untouchables," but as shared by Gianlucadimarzio.com's David Amoyal, the emergence of Radja Nainggolan has given Rudi Garcia a bit of a conundrum in the centre of the pitch:

The decision will ultimately be Strootman's. By signing the new contract, he'll effectively be telling any interested clubs he wishes to stay in Italy, ruling out a January exit.

If he doesn't sign, a transfer becomes all but inevitable. While clubs will still prefer to wait until summer to see how the 24-year-old's knee holds up, the link with Van Gaal and United is too strong to see any other outcome but a permanent move to Old Trafford.

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