Manchester United Transfer News: Major Deals Planned by Red Devils' Hierarchy

It’s quite incredible what a couple of wins can do. Louis van Gaal’s start to life at Manchester United was fast becoming a source of major ridicule, but having won their last two games, the doom and gloom seems to have been lifted from Old Trafford—for the time being at least.

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Nevertheless, Van Gaal is a manager who’ll be acutely aware of the limitations of his current squad, and having splashed the cash in the summer, expect the club to follow a similar pattern in January. Naturally, it is of little surprise that the Red Devils have been linked with a host of potential big names.

Here’s the very latest on a trio of players reportedly targeted by Van Gaal as he looks to build on his team's recent upturn in form and preserve United’s status among the Premier League’s elite.

Arsenal Will Battle United for Mats Hummels

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Van Gaal loves to have a defender who can emerge from the back with the ball and set attacks in motion, and one of the best in world football at this “libero” role is Borussia Dortmund man Mats Hummels. According to Rob Shepherd of the Mail Online, Hummels is wanted at Old Trafford but Arsenal have made him their No. 1 January target.

Shepherd suggests that the 25-year-old could cost up to £32 million and that Arsenal wouldn’t want to become involved in a bidding war, something that should push Hummels a little closer to Manchester, given the financial clout the club showcased in the summer.

Here’s why Hummels is rated as one of the world’s very best defenders:

United are in desperate need of top-class central defenders, and Hummels is a player who would add plenty to their back line. He’s eminently composed, a fine reader of the game and a major presence in both boxes at set pieces. Stylistically, he’s the perfect choice for the Red Devils, and if they could get him on board, it’d be a major coup.

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A £32 million fee may seem a lot for a defender, but when you consider the Germany international is still relatively young, he could be a mainstay of this United defence for years if he is lured to Old Trafford. With Dortmund in wretched form in the Bundesliga, perhaps the player might fancy a change of scenery.

Arturo Vidal Going Nowhere, Says Juventus Boss

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Despite having brought in Angel Di Maria, Angel Herrera and Daley Blind, the Red Devils are reportedly still keen on bolstering their midfield options with the signing of Juventus' Arturo Vidal, but according to his boss, Massimiliano Allegri, he’s going nowhere in January.

Speaking to the BBC World Service (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror), Allegri completely ruled out the prospect of selling the player, who’s been in and out of the Bianconeri side this season:

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The club has been very clear on Vidal. 

This season Vidal is a Juventus player and I think there's no possibility that in January he'll go to Manchester.

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Juventus seem to be getting on pretty well despite Vidal being on the periphery of the first XI; at the time of writing, they’ve won six and drawn one of their first seven Serie A matches. But there’s no denying that there are few better midfield players on the planet. 

Here’s a look at why he’s so coveted:

This one has rumbled on for a long time now, and it isn’t the first time Allegri has publicly quashed any notion of the Chilean making a move to United. Although he’s not currently a guaranteed starter in this Juve team, it’s only a matter of time before Vidal eventually forces his way back into the Juventus XI, such is his unwavering influence and quality.

WhoScored.com provides us with an insight into how important he has been for the Italian champions during a sustained spell of success:

From a United perspective, they’re currently extremely well stocked when it comes to midfield players, and they should target a potential move for Hummels before going after Vidal in the mid-season window. But such was the intensity of interest throughout the summer months, don’t expect this rumour to disappear any time soon.

Matteo Darmian a January Target

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Italian full-back Matteo Darmian has long been on Louis van Gaal’s wanted list, according to Dave Kidd of the Mirror, and he could be the subject of a £15 million bid from the Red Devils in January. 

Darmian is viewed as a cheaper and younger alternative to Brazilian Dani Alves, who has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, per the Daily Express (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror) and the Dutch boss would certainly value his versatility.

The Italy international is capable of playing at full-back, wing-back or as a wide midfielder on either flank; Van Gaal loves to alter tactics and systems, and a player like Darmian would be invaluable to the squad.

Here’s what United fans could expect from the Torino man:

The Red Devils have plenty of experienced players in their group, and with that in mind, a move for Darmian should be prioritised over an illustrious but lucrative and short-term deal for Alves. The 24-year-old would not only offer increased adaptability but much more longevity for the money paid and a hunger to succeed at the very top level.