Manchester United Transfer News: Big-Money Deals Targeted by Louis Van Gaal

It’s wholly apparent that positive steps are being made at Manchester United. The club made some exceptional moves in the summer window, and in the infancy of Louis van Gaal’s reign as manager, the team is already playing with a swagger that's long been lacking.

However, talk of winning the Premier League title has been minimal after a seventh place finish in 2013/14, and according to the club’s former captain Roy Keane, though he admits they’re making progress, the Red Devils are a few years away from glory yet, per Garry Doyle of the Daily Star:

"

Things have been a bit better the last few weeks for United. They have got lots of goals in their team now and are great going forward.

But in terms of winning the big prizes like the Premier League and the Champions League, I think that might be a few years down the road yet.

"

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To get back to the pinnacle of English and European football, Van Gaal must continue to act with a marriage of brashness and astuteness in the transfer windows to come. And after myriad major signings early on in his tenure, expect similar in January and beyond.

Here are some of the players who could play a significant part in Van Gaal’s red renaissance, as well as the latest on a key player who could be on his way out of Old Trafford.

Dani Alves Wants Massive Salary

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United are privy to splashing out massive salaries, and if they’re to recruit Brazilian full-back Dani Alves at the end of the current campaign, it looks as though they may have to do so once again.

Alves’ contract with Barcelona expires at the end of this season, and you suspect there will be a host of clubs in Europe that’d be keen to take him on a free transfer. But the Blaugrana man’s wage demands—a staggering £250,000 a week, per Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star—will probably whittle down the player’s potential destinations.

In fairness to Alves, here are a few reasons why he can attest to earning that kind of money:

United do need to bolster their defence, but it’s something Van Gaal must look at as a long-term project. Bringing in a 31-year-old—one who is, admittedly, still a top-class player—on a stratospherically lucrative deal wouldn’t be a sensible option; the manager must look at building a defence for the future, not the here and now.

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The prospect of Alves donning the iconic red strip is a tantalising one, but at this juncture, it’s a deal United should avoid pursuing. That is unless he decides to reduce his whopping wage demands.

Arturo Vidal a January Target

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Rumours regarding Arturo Vidal joining Manchester United lingered around Old Trafford throughout the summer, and it looks as though United could go back for the Chilean in the January window.

The Juventus midfielder’s attitude has come in for some stinging criticism from manager Massimiliano Allegri of late, per Tuttosport (h/t Luke Augustus of the Mail Online), and according to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star, the Red Devils will move for the player in January with an offer of £30 million. 

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Bianconeri are looking to sell Vidal and move for Juan Mata, per 101 Great Goals:

Here’s why Van Gaal is reportedly so keen on Vidal:

After signing Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria in the summer, United have had a massive injection of quality in the central-midfield area as of late. But if the opportunity is there to sign Vidal—a wonderfully multifaceted player—then it’s difficult to argue against stumping up the cash, for he’s a talent tailor-made for the Premier League.

If Juve are indeed keen on Mata, then you suspect Van Gaal would be keen to push through a swap deal of sorts. The Chilean has a set of attributes that are much more suited to the Dutchman’s typically desired qualities, and with Mata’s place in the starting XI looking a little insecure following an influx of players, perhaps he’d be tempted by a move to Turin.

Real Madrid Keen on David de Gea

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According to samuelJayC, 83 per cent of Marca readers want Iker Casillas replaced in the Spain starting XI by David de Gea, but if recent reports are to be believed, De Gea might be set to replace the legendary stopper at club level too.

Indeed, Real Madrid’s interest in the United No. 1 has been reported by Carlos Carpio and Hugo Cerezo of Marca. De Gea has also featured on the front page of the paper, as we can see here courtesy of 101 Great Goals:

According to Carpio and Cerezo, De Gea has long been admired at the Santiago Bernabeu, despite his connections with city rivals Atletico Madrid, and they also suggest that the Spanish international is keen on a potential deal should Casillas leave the club.

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The news will come as something of a concern to United supporters, who recently watched their ‘keeper produce a sensational display in the 2-1 victory over Everton. But maybe they shouldn’t be too worried, as De Gea recently spoke of how he wants to emulate some of the Old Trafford greats, per Totally Man Utd:

After signing the Atletico man when he was 20 years old in 2011, you suspect United would have expected De Gea to be between the sticks in Manchester for at least a decade. With that in mind, if Real are to prise him away, they’re going to have to stump up a serious amount of money.