Manchester United Transfer News: Big-Money Signings Tipped in Latest Rumours

Manchester United’s interest in Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is reportedly very real, with reports suggesting that the German club are braced for a bid for their star defender.

According to a piece in German newspaper Bild (h/t Sport Witness), Dortmund are taking rumours about Hummels “very seriously,” with the prospect of a £35 million bid from the Old Trafford club mentioned. As we can see here courtesy of the Sport Witness Twitter account, though, no official move has yet been made:

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe takes a look at what the Germany international could bring to the side:

Indeed, after a host of rumours linking the 26-year-old with a potential move to the Premier League, it seems as though speculation regarding his future has cranked up a little recently. With Dortmund toiling in the Bundesliga and Louis van Gaal in desperate need of a player to bolster his defensive ranks, it’s a move that would certainly make sense.

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The piece in Bild claims that a summer move looks the most likely course of action for the World Cup winner, however, and as noted here by Alex Chaffer, the player’s agent has also been coy about a potential switch to the Premier League:

You suspect United will be keen to test Dortmund's resolve, and given the financial clout they possess, it'd be a surprise if they didn't. But when you consider the respective positions of both sides, it would make a lot more sense for Hummels to stay where he is for the time being and re-evaluate his options at the end of the campaign.

But with Van Gaal insisting that he’s happy to spend big in the January window, this is a link that will be intriguing to follow for the remainder of the month, per Sky Sports:

"

Maybe you think that there are so many fantastic players, but it is not like that.

However, I don’t [necessarily] prefer to wait until the summer when I can improve my selections. That I have showed with [Victor] Valdes.

When we can buy a player who can improve my selection, the club shall buy. Money is not interesting. It is always quality of the players in comparison with the other players that I have. I have to compare. I have to decide. Money doesn’t play any role.

"

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Van Gaal went on to claim that he will always be looking to bring in attacking talent. But one player who’s scarcely been mentioned as a potential option for the Red Devils is Besiktas winger Gokhan Tore. 

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According to Eurosport Turkey (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror), the 22-year-old has caught the attention of United after putting in a host of effervescent displays for the Turkish club this season. The piece also claims that the Old Trafford club are poised to make a January bid for the player’s services.

Here’s a look at what he could potentially bring to the Premier League:

In truth, this season is the first campaign in which Tore has made a sustained impression for a team. The talent has always been there, but during spells with Hamburg and Rubin Kazan following a two-year stint in Chelsea’s reserves, the Turkey international often flattered to deceive.

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However, if he could replicate his Besiktas form in a United strip, he would be an astute acquisition. Indeed, his ability to play wing-back is something that would certainly appeal to Van Gaal, and as noted here by OptaCan, Tore is a player who's got better and better during the campaign:

Van Gaal may feel obliged to entertain the United faithful with exuberant attacking football, but it’s vital he looks at strengthening the defensive side of his team before bringing in further reinforcements at the sharp end of the pitch.

Indeed, Hummels and possibly another holding-midfield player would afford United’s vibrant offensive arsenal the insurance they need to go about their duties with much more freedom. It would also stand the Red Devils in much better stead when it comes to challenging for major honours.