Manchester United Transfer News: Rumoured Mega Deals Targeted by Louis Van Gaal

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal may well be turning things around for the Red Devils, but it’s safe to say that the job is far from complete.

United are still scrapping through untidy fixtures with all-round shaky performances, and despite being on the right side of the result most of the time, they look in danger of being found out.

Winning ugly is the sign of champions, sure, but the Dutch manager will want to ensure that he has a complete squad at his disposal as the road to redemption continues, and he could turn to the transfer window for exactly that.

Here’s a look at two big-name stars rumoured to be on Van Gaal’s wish list.

Edinson Cavani

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It wouldn’t be a transfer window without a good old Edinson Cavani rumour, and Manchester United are the first of what’s likely to be many clubs linked with the Paris Saint-Germain forward.

As Bruce Archer of the Daily Star reports, United will move for Cavani if Radamel Falcao can’t find his feet in the Premier League, with a £50 million price tag apparently hanging on the Uruguayan.

Cavani currently plays second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG, and United’s promise of regular football could well be an attractive proposition.

Francois Mori/Associated Press

However, it’s difficult to see the Uruguay international leaving the French capital. Despite being linked with a number of world-class sides in the summer, he’s always stayed loyal to PSG and never sulked about his occasional bit of time on the sideline.

Cavani also recently insisted that he’s happy with the Ligue 1 champions, telling Le Parisen that he’s never realistically considered leaving the club—reported via Ian Holyman of ESPN FC:

"Even when I have doubts in my head, I always arrive at the conclusion that I am happy at PSG. The supporters and all the people at the club make me feel at home.”

Francois Mori/Associated Press

Cavani and Falcao are very similar players, but it’s the latter who possesses real credentials to be a Premier League hit.

And so he proved in United’s recent 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, as he was arguably the best player on the pitch. The Colombian scored the Red Devils’ decisive equaliser with a well-taken header in the second half, and his stats were very impressive, too—via Squawka Football:

It was only Falcao’s second start of the season and the first time he’s completed 90 minutes, so it’s safe to say that he has plenty more to offer.

It’s easy for United fans to get excited at the prospect of landing Cavani, but bringing Falcao back to full fitness and in the goalscoring form from which he built his name should get pulses racing a lot more.

Likelihood Factor: 0/10

There are just too many things acting against this transfer rumour. Not only is Falcao improving by the day, but Cavani has no ambition of leaving Paris Saint-Germain. If Manchester United fans want to see the Uruguayan in the famous red shirt, they should simply master their Photoshop skills.

Nicolas Otamendi

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While signing world-class strikers for astronomical fees is all well and good, what Manchester United really need is a defender to sure up their shaky back line.

Mats Hummels may be the prime target, but with luring the German international away from Borussia Dortmund looking tricky, Van Gaal needs a back-up plan.

That plan is Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi, according to L'Equipe (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), although the Argentinian star won’t come cheap for United.

Short wrote that Otamendi is currently valued at £40 million, but that price tag could come down depending on whether Valencia can land Marseille’s Doria in January.

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It’s difficult to imagine United paying £40 million for a defender that a lot of fans will never have heard of, and it’s safe to say that it wouldn’t be too smart an investment.

What United really need is a leader at the back, someone to organise the youngsters and dictate the play—Otamendi, unfortunately, isn’t that.

The 26-year-old would simply be another addition to the list of inexperienced defenders that need a drastic step up to cut it in the Premier League. However, one of his attributes certainly wouldn’t be out of place—as ESPN’s Lee Roden commented upon:

Otamendi is reportedly a good friend of United winger Angel di Maria, who could convince him to head to Old Trafford, but from a supporter's point a view, his powers of persuasion being a bit off wouldn’t be the worst thing.

United have lots of defenders with a great deal of potential in their ranks already, unless Van Gaal can bring a top-level, experienced defender in to lead the pack then the line won’t be added to in January.

Likelihood Factor: 2/10

A high price tag combined with Van Gaal’s squad depth acts against this transfer. United have a few injuries at the back, of course, but panic buying isn’t the solution.