Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Robin van Persie and William Carvalho

Concerns over Robin van Persie's future at Old Trafford could lead Internazionale manager Roberto Mancini to make a summer swoop, while the Red Devils have suffered a setback in their reported pursuit of Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho.

Van Persie has managed to score just three goals in 11 Premier League appearances under Louis van Gaal, and The Telegraph's Matt Law reports that Mancini is on the hunt to secure the Dutchman's services after failing to sign the striker at Manchester City:

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Any move will have to wait until the end of the season, when, as it stands, Van Persie will only have a year remaining on his United contract. Van Persie would land a £10 million loyalty bonus by staying at United for the duration of his contract, which could pose a stumbling block to Mancini and Inter.

United could even try to extend Van Persie’s current deal, which is worth £250,000-a-week, but there are concerns over his form and long-term fitness.

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Van Persie's Old Trafford prospects rely largely on whether the Red Devils choose to sign Radamel Falcao on a permanent deal from Monaco.

The Colombian's £43.5 million pricetag currently looks a steep one considering he's made only five league appearances since arriving in England.

Law goes on to discuss the matter of Van Persie's age, and although the Netherlands international turns 32 next August, a slower tempo in Serie A could yield positive results.

Losing one or possibly even two of their superstar strikers next summer may seem a daunting thought for Manchester United fans, but Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe argues that youngster James Wilson has a lot to offer:

In what could be his final season with the English giants, Van Persie remains hopeful that Chelsea can be surmounted in this season's title chase, per The Independent:

While one attacking figure may head out of Old Trafford's revolving door, one player set to swing back in appears to be Nani, who will seemingly not complete a permanent move to Sporting.

Earlier in the week, Jamie Anderson of the Daily Express reported that Nani—halfway through a loan spell at his former club—could be used as a makeweight to sign midfield anchor Carvalho.

However, The Independent's Ian Herbert has revealed Sporting can't afford to take their star back—no matter how much they might like to—as his wages amount to "more than a quarter of Sporting’s entire budget for player acquisitions and wages."

Back in the Primeira Liga, Nani has fittingly looked like his old self and encouraged talk of an Old Trafford future once more, with Squawka detailing his success in Europe:

If United could make a swap deal work, they stand to come out with a player who suits their needs entirely. Carvalho is a defensive-minded midfield asset who can also drop closer to central defence, while Nani has spurned previous opportunities on the wing.

Van Gaal's side may yet find another route to securing Carvalho's services, but it doesn't seem likely the Portuguese international will come with any help from Nani.