Manchester United Transfer News: New Aleksandar Dragovic, Adnan Januzaj Rumours

After speculation suggested Manchester United were on the verge of capturing Aleksandar Dragovic from Dynamo Kiev, new claims say the Red Devils have fears over the defender's suitability to English football and will not bid for him in January.

David Lynch of the Manchester Evening News says United "do hold an interest" in the player but will not rush into any deal to sign the 23-year-old.

Lynch explains reports of Dragovic's possible signing originated from the player's homeland of Austria, but the defender's representatives now believe a summer move is more likely if United desire the switch. 

Dragovic has been a star performer for Kiev since joining them in 2013 and has 35 international caps to his name, per Lynch.

But United's reluctance to move for talent in January has already been recorded, with Lynch quoting Louis van Gaal's recent comments on the subject matter:

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I don’t think that we shall be very active as not many players of a certain level are available. I have said that when we buy a player he has to be better than the players that are playing now and that is a difficult job.

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Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

If the rumours are correct and Dragovic does not sign now, it is unlikely the Reds will move for him in six months' time.

Their options will swell once the season is over and Dragovic is likely to fall down the order if the likes of Mats Hummels become available.

Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News recently quoted Hummels acknowledging the speculation surrounding his future but refusing to be drawn on what his long-term intentions are beyond the current campaign: 

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It’s not the case with any of us that this has been written for the first time. And with me rumours are always going around, but I'm still here. I’ll let everything come to me and just look forward to the restart (of the Bundesliga) at Leverkusen. Everything else, I’m not thinking about.

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EuroFootball/Getty Images

In terms of pedigree, purchasing a player of Hummels' standing would surely appeal more to LvG than the little-known Dragovic—who may not settle at United should he join immediately.

This would be a very similar scenario to Nemanja Vidic who was also a January purchase and took a number of months to settle into the high-pressured environment of Old Trafford.

In other news, Van Gaal has directly blocked an approach by Paris Saint-Germain to discuss a move for Adnan Januzaj.

Liam Corless of the Mirror writes that Januzaj's agent Dirk De Vriese confirmed to French football website FootMercato.net that PSG made a request to Manchester United to discuss a potential transfer—but LvG point blank refused to entertain the idea:

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Yes, PSG have shown themselves to be interested this winter. They directly contacted Manchester United for information. Louis van Gaal announced that Adnan cannot leave this winter, either permanently or on loan.

The coach considers him as an important player for squad. He is counting on everyone. It seems like a final decision, I don’t think that it will change.

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Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Associated Press

Januzaj has struggled for minutes this season after performing regularly for David Moyes last term.

Van Gaal's preference for 5-3-2 has stunted the opportunities to use the talented Belgian, with the Daily Mirror's Oliver Holt saying the attacker should now get his chance in United's team:

Dragovic would certainly strengthen United's options in defence if he arrives in the next week, but United are right to put their foot on the brake if they are not entirely convinced.

United need proven quality in their back line, and if LvG does not think Dragovic is an immediate improvement on Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, he must exercise caution.

Januzaj has been unlucky this year with United's switch in tactics making his life harder. But he must adapt to the new system otherwise he will have to look elsewhere for game time.

It is probably best that Januzaj ventures out on loan as things stand because it is essential for his development that he plays matches and experiences the highest levels of football possible.