Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of October 13

The international break will have come as a welcome relief to Louis van Gaal and Manchester United, as they look to get their injured players back for the rigours of the Premier League.

Despite a rocky start, the Red Devils sit fourth in the table, just three points behind neighbours Manchester City.

Many questions still remain about United's paper-thin defence and how Van Gaal will include his multitude of superstar attackers in his selection.

However, United will surely add more top names to their squad in the January transfer window.

Here, we take a look at who some of those players might be.

—LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16— 

United to Raid Everton for Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Thursday, October 16

Manchester United are planning an audacious swoop for two of Everton's brightest stars—Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman.

The Metro says the Old Trafford club are planning a £60 million double bid for the internationals, according to reports from Spain.

Barkley is considered as one of England's great football hopes for the immediate future, in the anticipation that he grows into one of the best midfielders in Europe.

And Coleman is now one of the most consistent and dangerous right-backs in the Premier League and would provide Louis van Gaal with the attacking width he demands from his wing backs. 

Returning Ilkay Gundogan Back on Manchester United Radar

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Wednesday, October 15

Long-term injury casualty Ilker Gundogan is scheduled to be back in action for Borussia Dortmund, triggering Manchester United's interest in the player once again.

Anthony Chapman of the Express says United view the German international as an alternative to Kevin Strootman and Arturo Vidal, with Louis van Gaal "monitoring" the 23-year-old's return to first-team duty.

Gundogan must compete with BVB's midfielders for a place back in the Dortmund side, with the player saying he wishes to prove himself once again and expects to feature soon.

The highly rated individual said to Sky Sports Deutschland, per Chapman:

"

I am now available. The plan is that I am fully integrated into the team as soon as the national players are back. I am assuming that I am in the squad on the weekend against FC Cologne.

"

Juan Mata the Key to Arturo Vidal's Arrival at Manchester United

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Tuesday, October 14

Juventus will demand Spanish international Juan Mata be included in any deal that takes Arturo Vidal to Manchester United, in January. 

Nick Lustig of the Daily Star writes that Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport say Juventus will not consider selling their star midfielder to United, unless Mata joins the Old Lady. 

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri is said to have been clear in his demands to acquire the diminutive forward, who only joined the Red Devils from Chelsea, last January.

Lustig says that Louis van Gaal attempted to sign Vidal in the summer but Juve would not entertain the idea at the time. However, because of the Chile player's recent indiscipline, and their will to bring Mata to Turin, a deal could now be struck. 

Dani Alves Wants Huge Wage to Join Manchester United

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Monday, October 13

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves wants a bumper wage deal to leave the Catalan giants and move to Manchester United in the forthcoming summer transfer window.

Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star writes that the Brazilian legend wants £250,000 a week to join Louis van Gaal's team when he leaves the Camp Nou at the end of the current campaign.

Alves will be available on a free transfer and has said he wants to move to England next year, according to the article.

Hetherington also says United will not entertain a deal at that figure, and Alves will have to reduce his wage demands to land a deal with the Red Devils.

Ron Vlaar Becomes a "Priority" for Louis van Gaal

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Monday, October 13

Manchester United will make a move for Aston Villa centre-back Ron Vlaar in January after the player was described as a "priority" signing for Louis van Gaal.

Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror says that United will bid £4 million for Vlaar this winter, with the Dutchman becoming a free agent in the summer. 

The defender is well known to Van Gaal, being a vital part of the manager's Netherlands squad at the recent World Cup in Brazil.

United have suffered defensively during the opening stretch of Van Gaal's reign at Old Trafford, and Vlaar's experience would be useful as the rebuilding of the team continues.

Flanagan says that Villa wish to retain the defender but know they might have to cash in before he walks away on a free transfer.