Manchester United Transfer News: Big-Money Deals in the Works for Louis van Gaal

If the summer transfer window is anything to go by, then Manchester United are going to splash the cash like never before when January rolls around.

The Red Devils have brought in the kind of talent that’s better suited to a fantasy football side then a regular starting XI, but there are still plenty of holes for manager Louis van Gaal to plug.

While United’s start to the 2014/15 Premier League campaign has been far from brilliant, their chances of securing a top-four place are still very much alive—and it could all come down to how they invest in January.

Anderson Talisca

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Benfica midfielder Anderson Talisca has gone from relative unknown to one of the hottest properties in world football in just a few months.

The 20-year-old signed for the Portuguese giants from Brazilian side Bahia in July and has enjoyed a phenomenal spell since then.

According to WhoScored.com, Talisca has notched nine goals in all competitions so far this season, displaying the kind of talent that would suit any number of Europe’s elite clubs.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

So it’s little wonder that Manchester United are tracking his movements, as they look to bolster their central-midfield options.

As Paul Brown of the Daily Star on Sunday reports, United sent scouts to track the talented youngster in the Champions League on Tuesday, when he scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Monaco.

However, as journalist Jan Hagen revealed, United scouts weren’t the only ones at Estadio da Luz:

Though Benfica are unlikely to want to sell their star man after just a few months of enjoying his services, they could be tempted into a sale for the right fee—something that Manchester United could certainly afford to provide.

Would Talisca be worth parting with a large transfer fee, though? According to Brazil under-20 coach Alexandre Gallo, he most certainly is, per Selecao Brasileria:

"

Alexandre Gallo: "Talisca's moved to Benfica was important in his career. He is improving on all levels their and evolving as an athlete."

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) November 7, 2014"

However, the man himself says he’s only focused on life in the Portuguese capital and that playing with Benfica is helping his progression, reported via Brown:

"I am thinking only of Benfica. I am able to learn a lot from this wonderful group, with the fans and the coach."

Should a club of Manchester United’s stature come calling, Talisca may well have a change of heart.

Nani

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From a story that’ll fill United fans with optimism to one that’ll have them scratching their heads, as reports have emerged that Nani is set for a swift return to Old Trafford from his loan at Sporting Lisbon.

As Duncan Castles of Goal.com revealed, Van Gaal and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward are interested in bringing the winger back from his expensive season-long loan to Sporting and will enquire with the club as to his availability.

Nani moved as part of the deal that saw Marcos Rojo head to the Premier League, and with chances at Old Trafford few and far between for the Portuguese star, it didn’t seem like the worst bit of business.

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However, the form that Nani has shown back in his homeland, together with Van Gaal’s new tactic of deploying wingers, mean that there could yet be a future in Manchester for the 27-year-old.

As WhoScored.com’s statistics show, Nani has scored five goals in all competitions this season, with his Champions League performances particularly impressive.

Very few have ever questioned the winger’s talent, but it’s getting him to perform week in week out that has proved elusive for many managers.

JON SUPER/Associated Press

Maybe Van Gaal has the formula to make that happen, and should he miraculously manage to negotiate taking Nani back to Old Trafford, he could benefit greatly.

However, every United fan will say that the front line doesn’t need any tampering with—it’s the defence that’s in desperate need of attention.

Should Van Gaal bring in a solid, established centre-back and another exciting full-back, United will suddenly have the look of a side that can finish in the top four and really challenge for the title in seasons to come.