Marco Reus to Manchester United Summer Transfer Rumours Emerge Post-Deadline Day

While the end of the winter transfer window prompts plenty of clubs into a whirlwind of panic and apprehension, it seems Manchester United were happy to take a step back from the hyperbole. In the meantime, according to reports, the Red Devils have been plotting a summer swoop for Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus.

According to Paul Clennam, United were in contact with the Bundesliga club over the weekend preceding deadline day regarding the availability of the German international, who has also been reportedly targeted by Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Here's a look at what Reus can potentially add to United's cause:

According to Clennam's piece, just how ambitious the club are in the summer window depends on notching a Champions League place come the end of the campaign:

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The level of United's spending will be determined by their finishing position in this season's Premier League table.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who long insisted that there would be no January arrivals unless priority targets became available, has warned investors that the club's projected profits and losses depend on a third-place finish.

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Michael Regan/Getty Images

If that is indeed the case, United's reluctance to sign a defender in the January window is peculiar. After all, one of the fundamental rules of business is the need to speculate to accumulate, and—with the Red Devils in the midst of a battle for their top-four spot—some reinforcements at the back would have added great credence to their Champions League cause.

Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey thinks that their abstinence from signing players midseason could come back to haunt United:

Whether or not the club makes it into those top four places remains to be seen, but last summer showcased the gravitas that the 20-time champions and their longstanding reputation commands in earnest when it comes to signing players. With that in mind, Reus is a player who would surely be intrigued by the prospect of a move to the Red Devils regardless of their finishing position.

Plus, as noted by Clennam's article, the Dortmund man has a reported release clause of €25 million in the summer. For a club like United, that money is a mere pittance, especially if it was to be spent on a genuinely world-class talent such as Reus.

Michael Probst/Associated Press

Signing him may be a little indulgent on the part of the Red Devils, but Reus would thrill the United faithful. He's a versatile forward who boasts an array of attributes, including blistering pace, an eye for a pass and a thorough appreciation of how best to utilise these talents. It's been a disappointing season for himself and Dortmund so far, though, per Opta (h/t M.A.J):

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Marco Reus in the #Bundesliga 2014/15 so far.. pic.twitter.com/P9gTNLQaaH

— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) February 3, 2015"

Nonetheless, he'd be a wonderful addition for the north-west club and, if he was signed ahead of the aforementioned trio of sides, a major coup, too. But as noted here by German football expert Alex Chaffer, they could face further competition from Premier League rivals for his signature:

With Arsenal and Chelsea also reportedly interested, per Ben Jefferson of the Express, in addition to the illustrious threesome already mentioned, this is where United's finishing position this season will become critical in their pursuit. After all, if these teams can offer lucrative financial contracts in addition to Champions League football, the bright lights of Old Trafford won't command such allure.

While United have an array of attackers on their books, the opportunity to land Reus for a cut-price figure is not something any side should shy away from. With that in mind, it's vital Louis van Gaal steers this squad of players to the highest possible finish in order for United to stand in comparable stature alongside the European juggernauts that will move for this fine player.