Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of July 28

Louis van Gaal has been victorious in his first three matches as Manchester United coach with wins over L.A. Galaxy, Roma amd Inter Milan

The Red Devils have played an exciting brand of football—scoring 10 goals in three games—on their tour of the USA.

However, it is clear that Van Gaal will need to strengthen further as he builds his team around a 5-3-2 formation that is foreign to United fans and players.

Here we take a look at the latest news and gossip surrounding LvG's potential transfer dealings.

—LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 1—

United Close in on Sensational Mats Hummels Deal

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Friday, August 1

Manchester United are said to be on the verge of completing the £20 million capture of German World Cup winner, Mats Hummels.

Alan Nixon of the Mirror claims that the deal for centreback progressed on Thursday night, with Borussia Dortmund now eying young Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori as his replacement, in a loan deal.

The Anfield club would be happy to see their highly-rated 21-year-old Portuguese player spend a season under Jurgen Klopp but an agreement would lead to their North-West rivals acquiring Hummels, per Nixon.

United's defenders have performed well recently on the club's tour of the USA. However, the back-line lacks a world class leader and Hummels would hugely strengthen United's push for the Premier League title.

Atletico Madrid Confirm Chicharito Talks

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Thursday, July 31

La Liga Champions Atletico Madrid have confirmed that they are in talks to sign Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez.

The Metro confirm that the Spanish team have targeted the Mexico international and believe they can prise him away from Old Trafford for a fee of £10 million

The newspaper also quotes Atletico coach Diego Simeone as saying about the potential transfer:

"The technical department are handling it. Like any other player who we are interested in, Hernandez has a chance of arriving before the transfer window closes."

United are thought to want £15 million for the player but the Little Pea's desire to move to Spain could be the driving factor, per Metro. 

Arturo Vidal Verbally Agrees to Join Manchester United

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Wednesday, July 30

The plot thickens in the saga of Arturo Vidal, with the player now reportedly agreeing to join Manchester United.

Nick Lustig of the Daily Star says that El Mercurio believe the Chile midfielder has verbally agreed terms with Louis van Gaal and is set to sign for a £47 million fee, on a four-year contract with the Red Devils that is worth £120,000 a week.

Juventus are believed to be unwilling to match the package that United have put together for the player and now expect Vidal to leave them, per Lustig.

Also, Jamie Sanderson of the Metro reports that Vidal's agent Fernando Felicevich is locked in talks with Juve and is "working around the clock" to secure his client's transfer to the Premier League giants.

Felicevich is keen to conclude the deal in the coming days, with Juventus saying they will not consider any sales after August 6, per Sanderson.  

United Willing to Sell Shinji Kagawa

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Tuesday, July 29

Shinji Kagawa's dream of a fruitful Manchester United career could be over with the club thought to be willing to listen to offers for the player.

Rob Dawson of The Manchester Evening News reports that Louis van Gaal is preparing to reduce the size of the squad at Old Trafford with Kagawa likely to be sacrificed as a result.

It has been an unhappy couple of years for the Japan international since his arrival in English football—suffering with injury and sustained poor form.

And with LvG using a 5-3-2 system, the midfielder could see his game time significantly reduced further as the manager looks to fit Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney into his formation. 

Napoli to Take Marouane Fellaini

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Tuesday, July 29

Louis van Gaal is prepared to dispose of the services of Marouane Fellaini—just one year after arriving at Manchester United.

Ian Herbert of The Independent writes that Napoli are prepared to take the midfielder on-loan and end his Old Trafford nightmare.

The player was David Moyes' primary signing in his first transfer window in charge but he has failed to shine as brightly as he did at Everton.

Herbert explains that the Naples team favour a loan at present due to their tight finances.

Louis Van Gaal Sanctions £45 Million Move for Angel Di Maria

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Monday, July 28

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is prepared to use a huge amount of his transfer budget to lure Angel di Maria to the club.

Jamie Anderson of the Express writes that the Old Trafford boss will bid £45 million for the Real Madrid attacker to beat Paris Saint-Germain to his signature.

PSG have the constraints of Financial Fair Play and can only offer the Argentina international a loan deal to join them, and Anderson reports that United will flex their financial muscle to push through a deal.

United are now favourites to sign the 26-year-old player and add him to their squad for the new season, per Anderson.

United Confident of Landing Thomas Vermaelen

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Monday, July 28

Manchester United are said to be confident of successfully swooping for the services of Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen.

Louis van Gaal is desperate to add to his defensive stock after the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in recent weeks.

Simon Rice of The Independent reports that despite interest from Barcelona, United are confident of sealing a deal for the 28-year-old defender.

Rice quotes the Belgium international as saying: "There has been a lot of speculation, but I can't talk about it because I don't know what is going on."