Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Marco Reus and Top January Targets

Maybe Manchester United don't have such a clear path to Kevin Strootman after all. Fresh reports indicate Premier League leaders Chelsea are ready to rival the Red Devils for the Dutch midfielder's signature.

That's according to Daily Express reporter David Wright:

"

The Netherlands international - who joined the Serie A giants just last year for £15m - has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United since the arrival of boss Louis van Gaal in the summer.

...

However, today's reports in Italy claim Jose Mourinho is hoping to beat Van Gaal to Strootman in January.

The Portuguese is said to have tabled a £30m bid for the box-to-box midfielder, with Roma keen to make a healthy profit should they choose to sell.

"

Wright does indicate that United are prepared to better any bid from Chelsea. However, it's not clear exactly why the Blues even need Strootman.

After all, it's not as if Stamford Bridge chief Jose Mourinho is lacking for combative and technically assured midfielders. Ramires, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas fit that bill. Mourinho can even call on Oscar and John Obi Mikel.

There's also the not-so small matter of Mourinho recently stating Chelsea won't be a player in the January transfer window, per Pro Soccer Talk writer Kyle Lynch: "Mourinho has said the club has no plans to buy during the January transfer window, saying 'We cannot be better than first in the League, top of our Champions League group and in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup'."

It's still more likely that if Strootman washes up on Premier League shores this winter, it'll be to pull on a United shirt. His exit from Roma now looks more likely, following the Serie A outfit being dispatched from the UEFA Champions League, per Simon Rice of The Independent.

Even if United do still have hope of landing Strootman, one player who does look out of range is Marco Reus. The Borussia Dortmund forward is hotly tipped to join La Liga leaders Real Madrid per Daily Star reporter Chisanga Malata:

"

Well respected FiFA agent Francois Gallardo claims last season's Champions League winners are on the verge of snapping up the coveted forward, and has suggested the deal could be completed in the next few days.

He said: 'Real Madrid will sign Reus and operation will close within days.

'It is a very important player, if it comes to Real Madrid would be the icing for long-term project.'

"

Spanish publication AS also sees credible links emerging between Los Blancos and Reus:

As talented as both Reus and Strootman are, perhaps United fans won't be too miffed if the Red Devils missed out on both. United's money would, after all, be better spent adding numbers and quality to a threadbare defence.

Injuries and poor performances have ravaged the United back line since the season began. Manager Louis van Gaal has been forced into deploying raw youngsters such as Tyler Blackett and Patrick McNair.

A combination of inexperience, natural calamity and struggles adapting to manager Louis van Gaal's tactics have left United wide open at times. The 13-time Premier League champions have already surrendered 17 league goals in just 15 games this season, per PremierLeague.com.

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

That's why United fans can be encouraged by recent words from prospective target Benedikt Howedes. The Schalke 04 and German World Cup-winning defender has talked up the possibility of a winter exit, per SportBild (h/t Sport Witness):

"

An adventure abroad? It's a temptation. But I do not know when the time is right for such an experience. At Schalke I'm fine, but maybe at some point I might feel tempted for something new. This is not to say that I will go in January or next summer.

"

That sounds like classic transfer speak and certainly leaves the door ajar for a winter bid from Old Trafford. As a player who can switch between left-back and central defence, Howedes would suit Van Gaal's preference for shifting between three- and four-man defensive structures if needed.

Yet despite Howedes' credentials, United's dream target probably remains Diego Godin. The Old Trafford club are keen on the Atletico Madrid centre-back, but he will cost them £28.5 million, according to another report from Wright.

Recently, B/R Spanish football writer Guillem Balague discussed the merits of Van Gaal signing the combative Uruguayan:

However, Daily Express reporter Ben Jefferson believes United have a better chance of landing Godin's Atleti team-mate Miranda:

"

Manchester United have been handed a massive boost in their efforts to land Joao Miranda from Atletico Madrid following the emergence of Jose Gimenez.

And while the Spanish side remain unwilling to sell Godin - who, like Gimenez is Uruguayan, Miranda may have become dispensable.

Indeed, Atletico have always insisted that clubs would have to meet Miranda's £24m release clause to lure him away.

"

Landing either one of Miranda or Godin would represent a high-profile coup for United's depleted defence. Atletico have been one of the stingiest teams at the top level of European football while Miranda and Godin have been patrolling at the heart of their defence.

Securing one half of this fearsome partnership would give United the solid base its top-heavy squad, brimming with premier attacking talent, needs. Then Van Gaal's team would be legitimate title contenders this season.