Manchester United Transfer News: Club Should Avoid Julian Draxler Bidding War

Manchester United are still a work in progress. Louis van Gaal has tried various lineup combinations with hope of getting the squad to showcase top form on a more regular basis. It's led to questions about a possible missing piece in the form of a midfield force like Julian Draxler.

On paper, it's a good fit. Draxler is exactly the type of physical, hard-nosed midfielder the side has lacked over the past couple seasons. He's somebody who could step right in, win those duels in the middle of the pitch and help jump-start counterattacks.

That doesn't mean United should go all-in to land him in January, though. The combination of a likely sky-high price tag and needs elsewhere would make it a risky venture for Van Gaal and Co.

Bruce Archer of the Daily Star reports United are weighing different options ahead of the winter window and Draxler has caught the eye of the club's manager.

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Louis van Gaal is still searching for the ideal balance in his United squad after a mega summer spend but is likely to go back into the market in January.

Despite the signing of Angel Di Maria and the recent impressive performances from Adnan Januzaj Van Gaal wants more competition in wide areas.

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Also noted is the fact Arsenal are admirers of the midfielder and considered him before stepping up their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez during the summer.

James Dickenson of the Express adds Chelsea to the list of interested clubs, while also noting, per German newspaper Bild, United have sent scouts to watch Draxler throughout the term.

The report also notes a key detail when it comes to a possible January bid, suggesting, "Draxler would cost considerably more though, with a £37 million release clause reportedly in the Germany international's contract."

Yes, he's a terrific talent with all the tools to become an elite winger in the years ahead. But that's a steep price to pay at this stage of his career. That's especially true when you also consider having to pay for his contract and the potential competition from Arsenal, Chelsea and others.

Going after Draxler would also have a trickle-down effect. Sinking all of those resources into one player suggests a club believes he's truly the missing piece to the puzzle and bringing him in would be the last move necessary to compete at a high level.

That's not the case for United. In fact, while a player like the German international would definitely represent an upgrade, it's not even the side's biggest need.

Instead, the club's top priority should be looking to improve the back line in January. And it's hard to imagine acquiring a player like Draxler and still being able to make any additions that would seriously improve the defense.

It comes down to want vs. need. United may want Draxler and it's hard to blame them. But the biggest need is bolstering the back line in order to provide some support for an attack that already features plenty of star power.

And there's no guarantee the winger wants to move. Back in February, he commented about his future and London24 passed along his thoughts expressed to German outlet WAZ.

"It's good for Schalke because the club does not have to let go of me on the cheap and, in their worst-case scenario, they would still get a lot of money for me," he said. "And for me it's good because I can make my own decision if a club decides to pay 45 million euros for me and I want a new challenge."

Ultimately, it all adds up to a situation United should probably steer clear from during the winter window. Just because Draxler would be a good fit doesn't mean the club should ignore it's other, more obvious needs, in order to chase him.

Van Gaal should spend January trying to target players who can help strengthen the defensive structure right away. Then maybe if Draxler is still a possible option come the summer, they can make him the marquee signing of the offseason.