Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours Surrounding World-Class Targets

Manchester United look set for yet another pre-season splurge, with reports claiming a stratospheric summer spend is on the cards for the Old Trafford club come the end of the season.

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That’s according to Izzy Horsefield of the Sunday Express, who says that Gareth Bale will become a Red Devil next summer as part of another costly transfer window for the club. The piece also states that United will splash the cash in order to get Roma’s Kevin Strootman and Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels to join Louis van Gaal's side.

If those deals were to come to fruition, it’d be a major statement on the part of United. All of the aforementioned players are thoroughbred, world-class talents, and each have the class to help the Red Devils surge to the top of the Premier League table.

Let’s take a look at how United could potentially line up if those deals were to come off in the summer:

Bleacher Report UK

It’s a bold claim to state that Bale will be signing for United, though, especially when you consider the success he’s had at Real Madrid since joining. As we can see here courtesy of Los Blancos’ Twitter account, the former Tottenham Hotspur man seems very happy in the Spanish capital:

Indeed, Scott from the Republik of Mancunia website doesn’t see a deal happening:

While the blistering running and goalscoring exploits of the Welshman is perhaps the most exciting name of the three mentioned, Hummels could potentially be the most important acquisition for Van Gaal. The club has been perilously short on defensive options so far this season, and the German would add plenty in that department.

Here’s a look at why he’s considered amongst the world’s very best centre-backs:

With Dortmund continuing to struggle at the foot of the Bundesliga, there’s a major possibility that they will be without European football next season. Subsequently, a host of the club's top players, including Hummels, could be tempted away by sides in the Champions League and the monetary incentives they can provide.

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The World Cup winner would bring an abundance of class to the heart of the United back four, and at 27 years old, he arguably has his best years ahead of him as a defender, too. The big stumbling block for United if Dortmund do decide to sell is that they may face major opposition from a host of Europe’s elite, such is the calibre of the player.

Strootman is a midfielder who has long been linked with a move to United and it’s looking increasingly unlikely that a move will happen in January given the player's very recent return from injury. But there’s plenty of Red Devils supporters still hoping a deal can be done, including Internet sensation Andy Tate of Full Time Devils, per Bleacher Report UK:

After recently returning from a serious layoff, you suspect United will monitor Strootman’s progress from afar in the second half of the season. And just as the case is with Hummels, the industrious Dutchman would help bring some critical characteristics—tenacity, poise and purpose—to an area in which Van Gaal’s side are a little short.

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United may not be keeping tabs exclusively on Strootman in their pursuit for a holding midfield, though. According to Anthony Chapman of the Express, the Red Devils, Arsenal and Chelsea are all interested in Sergio Busquets, who is keen for a new challenge.

The Spanish international has established himself as one of the finest holding midfield players in world football during his time with Barcelona. Here’s a look at why he's held in such high regard:

With the Blaugrana banned from signing any players until January of 2016, it’s difficult to see Luis Enrique sanctioning the sale of a player who is as critical as Busquets. His job in the Barcelona side is a vital one; the 26-year-old’s ability to spot danger early, nullify opposition moves and recycle possession efficiently is irreplaceable among the current crop of of players.

He’d be a wonderful acquisition for United, Arsenal and Chelsea, but sadly for those sides, he’s a player who looks well out of reach at this juncture, especially with Barca unable to delve into the market for a replacement.