Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of December 15
Manchester United upped their case for being Premier League contenders as they beat north-west derby rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Louis van Gaal's team took the match 3-0, despite the team still suffering from obvious deficiencies in defence.
Michael Carrick was once again forced into the back line with LvG opting for a three-man central defence.
Despite their winning form, United still need to add new recruits, and they will get the chance to do this when the transfer window opens in January.
Here, we look at the latest deals open to the Red Devils and players who could soon be joining Van Gaal's ranks.
Last updated: Friday, December 19.
Diego Godin Ready to Snub Red Devils
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Friday, December 19
Manchester United target Diego Godin has announced he would like to stay with current club Atletico Madrid, saying he has no intention of leaving the La Liga champions.
James Robson of The Manchester Evening News quotes the centre-back speaking about his future to ESPN, and claims he wants to stay at the Calderon Stadium for now—but could one day move back to his native Uruguay:
"At this point, I feel that I’m in the best time of my career and I still see my retirement very far. I would like to stay many years here (at Atletico Madrid).
But it is true that I also have an attraction from my country and at any point in the future I would like to return to Uruguay, to respond to the love they have showed me during this years.
But just the time will say. It is difficult to know where I will be playing in as many years.
"
The 28-year-old is thought to have a £28.5 million buy-out clause in his current deal, per Robson, with Louis van Gaal said to be prepared to activate it to get his man.
Van Gaal to Capture Mats Hummels for £47 Million
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Thursday, December 18
Reports claim Manchester United will finally land the world-class centre-back they crave in the summer by grabbing Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund for an incredible fee.
Alex Harris of the Daily Star says Louis van Gaal will pay £47 million for the German World Cup winner in order to beat the competition to his signature in the next pre-season transfer window.
And Harris quotes United supremo Ed Woodward speaking about future transfers, claiming the club will support LvG acquire his targets:
"We are not looking to enter the market for short-term fixes. However we have targets that we are looking at for next summer. Should any of them become available in January—which obviously is rare—we will consider acting. But in terms of expectations-setting we all need to recognise that is a low probability.
"
Hummels has recently experienced a disappointing period after his exploits in Brazil with his country—with BVB suffering an alarming crash in form, seeing them prop up the bottom the Bundesliga table.
United Set to Sign Miranda in January
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Wednesday, December 17
Atletico Madrid appear to have given their blessing for Manchester United to sign their highly regarded defender Miranda when the January transfer window opens for business.
Ben Jefferson of the Express says the La Liga champions will accept a £20 million offer from the Red Devils, rather than lose the player on a free, next summer.
Diego Simeone has conceded the player can leave on the back of the emergence of young prospect Jose Gimenez—who will replace Miranda in the starting XI, per Jefferson.
Jefferson also writes Miranda has a release clause that is set at £24 million but Atletico are willing to accept less for the player—with the Brazilian said to be "desperate" for a move to Old Trafford.
Roma Angered by Continued Strootman Link to United
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Tuesday, December 16
Roma president James Pallotta is said to be "angry" at the sustained and continuous gossip surrounding Manchester United's bid for the services of Kevin Strootman.
Samuel Luckhurst of The Manchester Evening News writes Roma's general director Mauro Baldissoni spoke to Italian radio station Radio Anch'Io Lo Sport about the rumours and proclaimed the president is not happy:
"Our (club) president [James Pallotta] has already spoken about this and he gets angry with the rumours that link him [Strootman] to Manchester United. Our policy is that of investing in players that have quality but have room for improvement. Kevin is a young player with experience, and we want to build our future with players like him.
"
Strootman has only recently returned to the Italian team's first XI after serious injury but rumours persist that he could soon join his former international boss Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, per Luckhurst.
United to Bid £88 Million for Gareth Bale?
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Monday, December 15
Gareth Bale's time in La Liga could soon be about to end with a Spanish journalist claiming Real Madrid are planning to sell him.
David Wright of the Daily Express says Manchester United are lining up an £88 million offer for the Welsh player after an escalation of reports suggested Los Blancos will cash in on their world-record signing.
Wright also quotes Spanish journalist Manuel Esteban speaking about Bale's possible exit and claims it is only a matter of time: "Gareth Bale will not continue at Real Madrid. If they receive a big bid, they will not be hesitant."
The move would see Bale once again break the world transfer record—if he decides it is time to return to the Premier League and join the Red Devils in the aforementioned deal.
Juan Cuadrado to Old Trafford Instead of the Etihad
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Monday, December 15
Reports suggest that Juan Cuadrado could finally be about to leave Fiorentina and join Manchester United.
Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror writes the Red Devils are hoping to land the player ahead of rivals Manchester City, according to Italian source Sport Mediaset.
But despite having the choice of two of England's biggest clubs, Flanagan says Cuadrado would prefer a move to join Van Gaal's team.
The Colombian is likely to cost United somewhere in the region of £30 million, per Flanagan.
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