Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Marco Reus, Juan Mata

The January transfer window is right around the corner, and the rumour mill is working overtime linking a host of players with moves to and from Manchester United as soon as the madness commences.

The Red Devils were one of the most active teams of the summer window and have seen said activity pay off, ending 2014 with an excellent run of results. More of the same is expected, and one or two key January signings could boost Louis van Gaal's squad even further.

Here are the latest rumours coming out of Old Trafford.

Marco Reus Picks Real Madrid

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

According to Marca (h/t Daily Star's Rhys Turrell), Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus will snub Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea in favour of a £20 million summer move to Real Madrid.

The tricky forward is one of the biggest names available on the market and expected to leave Die Schwarzgelben at the end of the season, courtesy of a buyout clause set to activate in July.

Barcelona were believed to be the favourites to land the Germany international, but with the Court of Arbitration for Sport deciding to uphold their transfer ban, Reus will now turn to their La Liga rivals, per Turrell:

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However, it is reigning European champions Real who appear to have secured a deal, with Spanish newspaper Marca reporting that a verbal agreement is in place for the player to move to the Bernabeu next summer.

Reus is available for a cut-price £20m due to a release clause in his contract, and the reports suggest Real will complete a second raid on the Bundesliga in as many seasons following the capture of Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich earlier this year

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Of course, Reus' current transfer status means a verbal agreement is far from a guarantee the move will actually go through. The 25-year-old isn't a free agent at the end of the season, so there's no precontract to sign.

Reus has been linked to just about every major European club, with Spanish outlet Punto Pelota claiming he would join Atletico Madrid as recently as Wednesday, via Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez:

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So it's Punto Pelota who originated the Reus to Atlético rumours. As you were people.

— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) December 30, 2014"

Until Reus publicly states his desire to leave and his preferred destination, these rumours will continue to surface. And while Real Madrid are certainly strong candidates to land the prolific attacker, it's far too early to speculate on where he'll end up, if he decides to move at all.

Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey and Andy Brassell recently looked at United's main transfer needs for January, and forwards didn't make the list:

Reus is a special talent, however, and regardless of a team's strengths and weaknesses, Van Gaal will always find a spot for the German star in his starting XI.

Juventus Want Juan Mata

Jon Super/Associated Press

Italian newspaper Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) believes Juventus have made an inquiry regarding the availability of Spain international Juan Mata, but Van Gaal is unwilling to sell the star midfielder.

The Italian champions are looking for a playmaker to boost their chances of success in 2015, and with Mata dropping in and out of United's starting XI, it wasn't unreasonable for the Bianconeri to believe a deal could be made:

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Juventus are reported to have made an enquiry about Manchester United’s Juan Mata, but the Red Devils have no intention of selling.

The Bianconeri are believed to be looking for a trequartista for Massimiliano Allegri’s 4-3-1-2 system, and have also been linked with Wesley Sneijder and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Tuttosport claims that the Old Lady looked into the possibility of bringing the Spanish international to Turin, but were told that Manchester United have no intention of selling the player.

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The 26-year-old started the season on the bench but has since taken advantage of key injuries and suspensions to present himself as a viable contributor in Van Gaal's system. His play has certainly improved, and going into 2015, he's pushing for a position as a regular starter, regardless of injuries or form.

His numbers for the club also look superb, via Squawka Football:

The Spaniard looked dispensable at the start of the current campaign, and that no longer appears to be the case. The Bianconeri may be able to poach the playmaker away from United, but it will take a substantial offer to accomplish that feat in January.

Wesley Sneijder and Xherdan Shaqiri look like cheaper alternatives, via Football Italia, so expect the Bianconeri to move their attention in a different direction after United's rejection.

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