Manchester United Transfer News: Blockbuster Signings Eyed by Louis Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal took no time in splashing the cash after arriving at Manchester United's helm over the summer, and the Dutchman looks poised to spend the pennies once again this winter.

The Red Devils invested heavily in their squad, and although it's taking time for some new arrivals to adapt, that doesn't seem likely to stop the club from adding more new faces next year.

This week's latest rumours suggest Van Gaal will pay particular attention to his former Bundesliga stomping grounds, with two Borussia Dortmund stars in particular drawing gazes from Old Trafford.

Mats Hummels

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The Black and Yellows have reportedly placed a £48 million price tag on the head of Mats Hummels, a target with whom Manchester United have long been associated.

According to Jamie Anderson of the Express, the German centre-back would be allowed to leave Signal Iduna Park should either of United or Arsenal choose to meet that fee.

Van Gaal's defensive concerns this season have been well-chronicled, with Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling each enduring time on the sidelines through injury.

It's been an overbearing theme among Manchester United centre-backs for some years, though, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand having also struggled to feature consistently alongside one another for periods.

Despite the knowledge of an alleged asking price, Miguel Delaney of ESPN terms United's hopes of signing Hummels as "virtually impossible":

While there's promise under Van Gaal's watch, central defence is lacking a truly world-class figure—something the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City both have at their disposal.

However, it's as of yet unknown how appealing such a high figure would be to the Red Devils, who may look to restrict spending somewhat after this past summer's market exploits.

Marco Reus

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The second player under Jurgen Klopp's command said to be attracting United's attention is another long-term target in Marco Reus.

Dortmund's struggles this season have created the notion that some of the more prominent stars may look to leave unless things improve. However, Spanish newspaper Marca (h/t Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star) says Chelsea lead the race for his services.

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Spanish agent Francois Gallardo is quoted in throwing a spanner in the works, though, saying that Real Madrid will sign Reus in December before any Premier League titan can even have a say.

"At the beginning of December, the agent of a very top player will be in Madrid to close the signing. It will be a player who would fall in love and some €25 million. Reus will close his move to Madrid in early December," he said.

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At this stage, the claims are little other than speculation—especially with the forward's deal in Dortmund set to run until 2017, causing no immediate panic for a sale.

However, Reus would be a malleable asset of extreme use to Van Gaal's ever-changing tactics, and should his prospect be considered a priority, the Red Devils may be expected to compete with fellow big spenders to seal the deal.

Christoph Kramer

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United are reported to be one of numerous Premier League clubs eyeing up the talents of German international and 2014 World Cup winner Christoph Kramer.

However, as he's currently in the second season of a two-year loan at Borussia Monchengladbach from Bayer Leverkusen, it's unlikely Kramer would be able to move before next summer.

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The Daily Star's Chisanga Malata says that Van Gaal is one of several managers eyeing up the midfield talent, with Arsene Wenger also said to be examining his talents.

The 23-year-old told German newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt (h/t Malata) that he'd be open to the prospect of a move outside the Bundesliga. "That [moving abroad] has always interested me. I would not be afraid. I want to find out what my limit is and I always strive for the very best," he said.

David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com recently quoted the player's agent in confirming that Kramer would return to the BayArena next summer:

United already added Ander Herrera and Daley Blind to their midfield ranks over the summer, however, and Kramer may be something of a similar acquisition when a more specialised general is what's needed.