Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Luka Modric and Thomas Mueller Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Luka Modric and Thomas Mueller, two players Louis van Gaal allegedly wishes to bring to Old Trafford.

Modric was a target for the Red Devils prior to his exit from Tottenham Hotspur, as Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail reported. A report by French outlet Le 10 Sport suggests that the player's spouse hasn't adjusted to life in Spain, a situation that is said to have "alerted" United officials.

"Modric is the engine of Real Madrid, but the problem is his wife, who did not fit into Madrid in Spain," notes FIFA agent Francois Gallardo in Le10 Sport's coverage (translated by Naveen Ullal of the International Business Times).

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Alongside this, Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star believes Louis van Gaal has seen a £45 million attempt to sign Mueller "knocked back" by Bayern Munich.

Van Gaal paved the way for Mueller's success by bringing him into the German side's first team during his spell in charge at the Allianz Arena. Malata suggests that Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in taking Mueller to England, but if Bayern have turned down the aforementioned sum from United, it's unlikely the other two clubs will offer much more.

The Dutch manager recently played down suggestions that he is set to strengthen United's squad during the transfer window, per Alex Shaw of ESPN FC:

"

"I don't think we will be active (in Jan) as the players we want aren't available," - Van Gaal. Also says Falcao must prove himself.

— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) January 16, 2015"

Van Gaal desperately needs a ball-playing midfielder in Modric's style, but he could use someone with greater physicality than the Croat. The 29-year-old's technique isn't too dissimilar to that of United legend Paul Scholes—he keeps the ball moving with accurate passes, can dribble around opponents and is a creative threat—someone United have failed to replace since Scholes' second retirement in 2013.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Mueller would be a versatile attacking threat for a side who recently lost against Southampton at home for the first time in 27 years. He's netted 11 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com, regularly adding to the scoresheet from a centre-forward or right-wing's role.

"It's no secret that Louis van Gaal and I have a relationship that goes a little beyond the normal relationship between coaches and players," Mueller said last year, per David Wright of the Express. Pep Guardiola is unlikely to sell his key individual without having first captured a replacement, however, so this deal appears difficult.

B/R UK's Alex Dimond recently discussed a handful of individuals who could improve Van Gaal's quest to finish in the top four:

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand outlined who he would buy to quickly galvanise the side:

The link to Modric seems particularly far-fetched. Carlo Ancelotti relies on the tidy midfielder to ensure Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale are properly supplied with quality through balls. Like United struggling to replace Scholes, it's likely Los Blancos would initially suffer if Modric were no longer around.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Mueller's link undoubtedly gains momentum due to his association with Van Gaal. He has the natural craft and energy to succeed in any of Europe's top leagues, but Bayern rarely cash in on their home-grown stars.

Van Gaal's recent comments indicate there isn't much for United supporters to look forward to beyond games in January. It's far more likely he will aim to attract top talent in a summer, which will be defined by whether the club has qualified for the Champions League.