Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Buzz on Potential Targets

New signings are always wonderfully exciting. A fresh face at a football club can do tons for morale; supporters turn up at the game with that unknowing anticipation, and for players, that injection of class and competition regularly garners a jolt in performance.

So as Manchester United fans are no doubt counting down the hours until they get to see some of their new men in action against QPR in Week 4 of the Premier League, so too are the players, as Robin van Persie explains, per FourFourTwo:

"

I can't wait to go and train and play with the world class players we have signed – wow.

That feeling, that we are going to perform well has only got stronger after the buying of players over the last weeks. I find it very exciting, the arrival of all those new players.

For me personally, it's brilliant to go and play with some of the best players in the world. It's great that I can go and train and play with them every day.

"

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It’s a feeling that Louis van Gaal will be looking to preserve and fuel throughout the season, and already talk in the press has turned to some potential January deal that could give United some mid-season momentum. Here’s the very latest on some of those potential targets.

Paul Pogba Set For New Juventus Deal

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The chances of a reunion with the French midfielder seem to be dwindling, as reports suggest the Juventus man is close to agreeing a new deal with the club.

According to talkSPORT, Pogba will treble his current salary with the Bianconeri, meaning he’ll take home £70,000-a-week. Although the 21-year-old could potentially pick up a much more lucrative salary elsewhere on the continent, that deal will make him one of Juventus’ top earners and cement his status as a key man for Massimiliano Allegri’s side.

Here’s why the Italian champions are ready to pay the youngster:

During his time in Serie A, Pogba’s development has been nothing short of phenomenal. Yes, when he left Old Trafford he was deemed to have potential, but there are few that could have foreseen the stratospheric improvements he’d make at such a young age.

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It’s clear that Pogba remains bitter about his Red Devils departure, claiming he “gave up” on his United dream when Sir Alex Ferguson decided to play Rafael ahead of the Frenchman in midfield, per Telefoot (h/t Sam Lee of Goal.com). So even without considering this new deal, you can imagine the player would have reservations about heading back to Manchester.

Indeed, one of the reasons United have had to bolster their midfield so heavily this summer is because of his departure, as James Ducker of The Times noted:

There’s little doubt that the former United man has all the attributes to flourish in the Premier League; it’s a division tailor-made for Pogba’s style. But he’s a mature player, and one that he will surely be thankful to Juve for taking a chance on him. Extending his stay will not only be a welcome show of loyalty to the Italians, but the best way for the Frenchman to continue his stellar development.

Red Devils Face Competition For Christoph Kramer

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United are one of a number of clubs reportedly interested in the German international, who could be available as a free agent when his contract expires with Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.

According to Bild (h/t BBC Sport) United are one of many illustrious names interested in the 23-year-old, who is into his second year of a loan spell with Borussia Monchengladbach.

For the player it’s been something of a remarkable rise. His form last season really caught the eye at Borussia Park and although his call-up to the World Cup squad represented something of a surprise, it was undeniably well deserved. He played a key role in Germany’s victory, too, making two substitute appearances before starting in the final.

Clearly a player that’s blossomed as of late, it’s little surprise the gaze of Europe’s big names have been attracted by Kramer, for he’s quickly developing into a complete midfielder.

For United, he’d be a superb addition. Not only is he incredibly industrious and defensively astute, he’s also excellently efficient with the ball at his feet and capable of opening teams up with some well-timed surges forward.

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Van Gaal has added flair aplenty to this United squad, and although Daley Blind will provide United with a stylish, adaptable foil at the base of the midfield, he’s not got the dynamism and intensity comparable to Kramer; they're two qualities that the Red Devils do look a little short of in their central midfield.

Nigel de Jong Wants Milan Stay

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One player who’d certainly add steel to the spine of this United side is De Jong, although he’s keen to extend his stay with the Rossoneri.

According to Anthony Chapman of the Express, the Dutchman is set to snub interest from United and former club Ajax in favour of sticking around at the San Siro, thus turning down the chance to join up with his former national team boss at Old Trafford.

Here’s what the former Manchester City man could potentially add to the Red Devils midfield:

It’s easy to see why Van Gaal is potentially interested in De Jong. He’s a player he knows well, that can handle the Premier League and who has a wealth of experience at the pinnacle of the game.

He’s understatedly capable on the ball, too, as noted here by WhoScored.com:

But for United, De Jong is a commodity best avoided. During his time at City he harboured a reputation for being a little over-zealous in terms of his challenges and coming back to England he could find that tag difficult to shake off.

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In addition, when you consider the player’s age—he’s 29 years old—and his Manchester City connections, this is a move that never really looked likely to happen. Casting an eye to January, United would be best to pursue other targets.