Manchester United Transfer News: Mats Hummels, Kevin Strootman Summit Rumoured

Louis van Gaal and Manchester United officials will reportedly meet on Friday to decide "whether to spend big on a defender in the next two weeks," according to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.

The Mirror's John Cross and David McDonnell suggest that the Dutch manager "will be given the green light for another £150 million spending spree" in a "summit" that will likely lay out United's plans for the January transfer window.

It is believed Van Gaal will meet with chief executive Ed Woodward and other board members to discuss the possibility of signing Mats Hummels, Kevin Strootman and Nathaniel Clyne.

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Cross and McDonnell claim that Hummels is "top" of the side's wanted list. He is likely to cost over £40 million, but he has the potential to become United's leading centre-back. Van Gaal has often deployed Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans at the back this season—three players whose qualities have often been questioned—so he needs a new leader to take control.

Hummels recently suggested that he is open to opportunities and cannot promise to remain with Borussia Dortmund, reported by Sky Sports:

"

I have never said I will stay until 2024 or 2030 or whenever...but I have stayed until today. I will stick to my way of not promising anything and maybe leave someday, instead of saying I will stay forever and then leave all of a sudden.

"

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United's rumoured pursuit of Strootman is starting to echo the Arturo Vidal saga, in that plenty of speculation is leading to little progress. Roma president James Pallotta recently told Bleacher Report's Colin O'Brien that a massive offer could tempt the club into parting with the central-midfield star:

"

My view is that I don't want Kevin to go, for example, but if someone offers a huge amount, you at least have to listen to them. You're running a team, so you have to look at what's best for everyone, not just one individual. That's the way the world works.

"

Strootman would add physicality and control to United's midfield. B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently provided his thoughts on the player:

Only Michael Carrick boasts the passing range to dictate the side's tempo in the centre, while it's difficult to suggest anyone other than Marouane Fellaini possesses the power to make opponents change the way they play.

Wayne Rooney's transition to midfield isn't fooling anyone, and he needs to be pushed further forward—perhaps with Angel Di Maria dropping back—as soon as possible.

Despite suggesting Van Gaal's "more serious spending will happen in the summer," Mokbel believes "a late move for [Seamus] Coleman or Clyne is not impossible." Cross and McDonnell state that Clyne is the "preferred choice" after an excellent first half of the season with Southampton.

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It's fair to say that Clyne has developed into England's best right-back since the start of the campaign, providing quality defensive work and the ability to effectively bomb forward. He is quick, doesn't leave his team exposed and is more than capable of supplying the offensive line.

B/R UK's Alex Dimond recently considered a handful of signings who could improve Van Gaal's side:

A January spending spree certainly makes sense. Although costs are often inflated in January, due to the inconvenience of sides losing key players in the middle of the season, United have the funds to make a serious splash if they feel it's necessary.

Van Gaal is likely to be looking at his current defensive options and craving additional confidence, despite United possessing the fourth-best defensive record in the division. Hummels, Strootman and Clyne can significantly improve current areas of weakness and would let the rest of the Premier League know United mean business in their quest to regain Champions League football.