Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Shinji Kagawa Is Affordable Target

Manchester United are closing in on a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa, according to the Daily Mail.  

The 23-year-old Japanese star’s contract is set to run out at the end of next season, and Dortmund understand that he will not re-negotiate a new deal with the club. In fact, the midfielder even told them so himself, according to Bild:

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"I had a meeting with his agent yesterday morning and Shinji Kagawa has informed us that he will definitely not be extending his contract," Dortmund director of sport Michael Zorc told the Bild newspaper.

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This has opened the door for a transfer. The club will certainly listen, and is extremely likely to let him go.

"Should we now receive offers for Kagawa, then we will consider and negotiate them," added Zorc.

It’s obvious that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant boss Mike Phelan were at the DFB-Pokal final this weekend for more than a leisurely viewing of Dortmund’s 5-2 victory over Bayern Munich.

They were scouting Kagawa, who scored a nice goal in what is likely his final game in the Bundesliga.

Considering that the narrow losers of the EPL are looking to upgrade their lineup for next season, the young Japan international might be a perfect fit. Kagawa’s age and limited experience means he will come cheaper than some of the other targets for the Red Devils. His last transfer fee was a mere £280,000 back in 2010.

He has tremendous upside, and scored 21 goals in 49 appearances in the Bundesliga. Quite a few of these were late game-winners that helped Dortmund win their league championship.

If United is going to gamble on an attacking midfielder and want to save a few coins, they need to go with Shinji Kagawa.