Top 5 Contenders to Be Manchester United's Big Summer Signing

In news that is sure to warm the cockles of the heart of every Manchester United fan, Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed it possible that the club could make a big summer signing.

The Scotsman said (via ManUtd.com): "Maybe there’s a wind change in the fact that we may go for a top player. That’s possible. We’ve got a nucleus of young players but we may spend something, you know."

Judging by the side's underwhelming performance against Chelsea on Sunday, making a signing similar to the one that brought Robin van Persie to Old Trafford last summer wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Several top, top names have been linked with a move to United in the press in the past few months.

Here are the five biggest, ranked by how probable it is Sir Alex will clinch a deal.

5. Radamel Falcao

Let's be honest, when Colombian great Faustino Asprilla announced last week that he had told Radamel Falcao to move to Manchester United, it was a little exciting.

Falcao is one of the elite strikers in the game today, and arguably the most deadly in the penalty area.

Asprilla claimed (via Daily Mail): "We were talking and he asked me my opinion on who he should join."

"With teams like Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City they have good times then they have bad times, that is why I told him he must choose Manchester United. Every season they are challenging, and if he wants success that is where I have told him to go," he said.

But with a transfer fee expected to be no less than £46 million, the possibility of United being genuine contenders for the Atletico Madrid man's signature are slim.

The club is already well stocked with attacking options, despite Sir Alex's fondness for purchasing goalscorers.

4. Luka Modric

When Luka Modric scored a crippling goal against United in the side's clash with Real Madrid earlier this year, the rumour machine instantly whirred into action.

The Daily Mail claimed that "Heartbreaker Luka Modric still has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford."

"Still?"

While the Red Devils were genuine contenders for the Croatian midfielder's signature when he left Tottenham in 2012, Real Madrid always seemed his preferred destination.

A year on and after a mixed season at the Bernabeu, Modric's time with Real may well come to a premature end.

Even if Jose Mourinho stays beyond this season, Modric's future has not yet been determined.

However, he has had a far improved 2013, with his place in the Portuguese manager's thinking holding greater prominence than last year.

3. Gareth Bale

Every fan of the Red Devils would rejoice if Sir Alex could persuade Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale to move to Old Trafford.

The left winger/forward has been one of the top three players in Europe this season, making huge strides under Andre Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane.

The PFA Player of the Year has scored an incredible 20 Premier League goals this season, many of which have come from outside the box in spectacular fashion.

Speaking about trying to sign the Welshman in 2007, Fergie said (via The Telegraph): "We were disappointed in Southampton at the time because we were first there, but they never came back to us." 

Some say the Scotsman is still keen on Bale, with The Mirror reporting that, "United believe 23-year-old Bale would ­favour a switch to Old Trafford over a move to Real Madrid if Spurs can be persuaded to sell."

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy drives a hard bargain, though, and would take the Red Devils for all he can get.

2. Robert Lewandowski

As previously mentioned, the Red Devils are not short on options in the striker department, but such a trivial fact doesn't seem to slow Sir Alex.

The United boss said (via ManUtd.com): "Last season, we had Chicharito, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney but still went for van Persie. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that."

"We won the league because we had a strong squad in terms of numbers and I think we should add to it."

Whether or not he is legitimately hinting at signing another striker remains to be seen, but there is a genuine possibility that a player like Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski could move to Manchester this summer.

Last month, The Telegraph stated that, "Lewandowski has told associates he prefers a move to the Premier League, with United his favoured option ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea."

However, recent comments from the player's agent seem to hint that Bayern Munich are likely to win the race for his signature (via The Guardian).

Which leaves...

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

...Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid's transcendent forward.

Call me insanely optimistic or just plain naive, but I believe there is a significant amount of truth in the "Ronaldo to return to Manchester United" rumours.

I have never been one to take tabloid transfer gossip too seriously, but reading between the lines, it is just possible that the Portuguese player believes his time at the Bernabeu may have run its course.

The Express claimed on Monday that, "[Ronaldo] is believed to have told a senior player at Manchester United he would seriously consider a return to the club."

In March, The Mirror said that, "United have turned to American sports giant Nike in a bid to help them sign Ronaldo."

With Jose Mourinho likely on his way out, Ronaldo may decide to follow him to the Premier League—just not to the same club.

Is there a true Manchester United fan in existence who wouldn't welcome him back to Old Trafford with open arms?

Has anyone got a spare £65 million lying around?

Follow @MaxBentleyTowle