Manchester United Transfer News: Arjen Robben, Kevin Strootman to Lead Mega Raid

Arjen Robben, Kevin Strootman and Mats Hummels are reported to be Manchester United's main targets heading into another summer of change for the Premier League side.

Louis van Gaal will reportedly be given £150 million to spend at the conclusion of the current season, per Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail, who is among those to outline the aforementioned three as key targets for the Dutch boss.

United's exact budget isn't agreed on by the British press, but as highlighted via tweets from Nick Sutton of BBC Radio 4, a major cash injection is expected:

Robben's name quietly followed United last summer, but the Bayern winger eventually ruled a move out. The 30-year-old has Premier League experience with Chelsea and was one of Van Gaal's most important players during his second spell as Netherlands coach, meaning he immediately ticks the criteria of potentially becoming a United player.

Many supporters will remember Robben's stunning Champions League goal at Old Trafford—a strike which eliminated the home side on the away goals ruling in 2010—which came during Van Gaal's time in charge of the Bundesliga champions. He could add pace, directness and creativity, much like Angel Di Maria has this season.

Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Strootman's situation remains difficult to judge. David McDonnell of the Mirror outlined him as a "long-term target," but Van Gaal will need to give him as much time as possible before placing a bid.

The Dutch midfielder recently returned from a serious knee problem with 13 minutes of football across two matches, per WhoScored.com. Quite understandably, he remains off the pace. Strootman completed just 66.7 percent of his passes against CSKA Moscow in a cameo performance which indicated it will be a slow process for him to fully recover after eight months out.

Van Gaal is sure to know this. No public bid was ever launched for Juventus' Arturo Vidal, perhaps due to the same reason, and the boss had hesitated on spending a massive sum on Radamel Falcao before fully checking him out.

Riccardo De Luca/Associated Press

Hummels' situation at Borussia Dortmund could play into United's hands. Currently last in the Bundesliga, the 2013 Champions League finalists have little domestic prospects to hunt this campaign. United will "try again" after being "rebuffed" last summer, according to Wheeler, who indicated a centre-back is priority.

Football writer Jonathan Wilson details why Hummels would be an excellent signing to B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

Wheeler's article also mentions Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin—who would be something of a stop-gap at 28 years old—while the Independent (h/t Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News) suggested Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte could be on United's radar. 

Barcelona's Dani Alves is touted at right-back by Wheeler, although McDonnell wrote that Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne is being considered. United's poor defensive start to the season ensures plenty of investment will be made in this area.

Luckhurst believes United are "monitoring" Bale's situation at Real Madrid. An alternative to the expensive Welshman—who would likely cost more than the reported £85 million he moved for—could be Dortmund's Marco Reus, per McDonnell. 

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

Reports previously suggested Real Madrid have first option on the German, but Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke recently denied this claim, per Reuters and via The Guardian: "This is complete nonsense that there is an option right agreement," said Watzke. "Marco alone will decide where he will go. If he decides to make use of the clause there is nothing we can do."

Alex Shaw of ESPN FC questioned why it took United a season to start spending the cash:

Supporters can now undoubtedly look forward to another exciting summer. The quest this season is to return to the Champions League, an achievement which will undoubtedly aid Van Gaal's squad strengthening process, both financially and in terms of who he can attract. Ageing players such as Robben, for instance, are unlikely to give up European football at this stage in their careers.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward noted there is a "low probability" the club will spend in January. It has now become apparent why. Van Gaal is a few world-class names short of possessing an extremely exciting squad, but there's major work to be done before United will be regularly challenging for silverware once more.