Manchester United Transfer News: Gonzalo Higuain Buzz, Karim Benzema Rumours

Manchester United have striking recruitment in sight this summer after speculation emerged linking both Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema with moves to Manchester United.

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via Metro's Will Giles) claims the Red Devils will be making their surge for the services of Higuain, potentially depending on whether Napoli secure Champions League football for next season.

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The Azzurri face Lazio on Sunday and need a win over their Rome guests if they're to qualify for Europe's premier competition next term.

According to Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports, Higuain's future with the Naples outfit is indeed dependent on Sunday's result, with anything but victory presumably signalling the end of his time at the club:

The Argentina international has scored 27 goals across all competitions this term, featuring in 57 games during what was an extremely taxing season between foreign and domestic matters.

Higuain was linked with a move to Liverpool during the winter period, at which point his brother and agent, Nicolas, told Radio Crc (via Football Italia) that his attentions were focused at Napoli:

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Do Liverpool want Higuain? I don’t speak English, just Italian, French and Spanish. I haven’t spoken to any club, firstly because they haven’t called me and secondly because it would be disrespectful to Napoli, it wouldn’t be fair.

[Napoli President Aurelio] De Laurentiis is a great person, a man of honour and I couldn’t behave incorrectly. We’re not thinking about leaving Napoli. 

I’m confident that the team can make third place [and qualify for the Champions League], then we’ll see about Gonzalo’s future.

I haven’t spoken with any team, Gonzalo is calm, he has a contract with Napoli and he’s not planning to leave because he’s happy. We have to fight for third place.

"

United recently saw Radamel Falcao leave their borders after his season-long loan came to its end, leaving manager Louis van Gaal with one star void to fill in his squad.

Giles' report mentions that Higuain's current contract has a buyout clause of £71.3 million, but Napoli could be forced into doing a deal for less should the forward look to leave.

Even during some of their bleaker spells, Napoli have been able to call on their striker for goals, with ESPN's Julian De Martinis ranking Higuain as Rafa Benitez's biggest success during his time at the club's helm:

"

Don't think Benitez's loss is really that big for Napoli or the league. Sure, brought in Higuain but otherwise, what else?

— Julian De Martinis (@JulianDM11) May 28, 2015"

There's no mention as of yet regarding how much Napoli would be looking to receive if they were to consider Higuain's sale, but United would be in a position to contend both in terms of transfer sum and wages.

Adding a superstar finisher to his ranks looks likely to be a priority for Van Gaal in preparation for next season, and all attention now turns to Sunday as Napoli look to tie up their Champions League future.

'Bid Lodged' For Real's Benzema

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From a former Real Madrid frontman to one currently leading their line, Los Blancos star Benzema is also said to have been the subject of a Manchester United bid already.

Reports from the Guardian and Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (via Metro's Jamie Sanderson) say Van Gaal's side have offered £35.6 million for the France international.

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Injuries scuppered Benzema's scoring momentum at times this season, but the former Lyon hitman still enjoyed a fruitful term in front of goal, bagging 22 goals in 46 total appearances.

As illustrated by Squawka Dave, his success has very much ridden in correlation with Real Madrid's soaring in recent seasons, putting him among a very elite bunch of stars boasting influence in front of goal:

"

Benzema has scored or assisted 73 goals in the last 3 La Liga seasons. Only Messi (158) and Ronaldo (148) have been involved in more. #MUFC

— Squawka Dave (@SquawkaDave) May 26, 2015"

As aforementioned, Falcao's miserable season-long loan in England leaves United with space to fill up front, but the Colombian isn't the only forward who could be leaving Van Gaal's ranks.

Robin van Persie has struggled to contend with injuries and may not hold much in terms of long-term potential, set to turn 32 years of age in August.

Van Persie scored 26 Premier League goals during his first season at Old Trafford, but last season's tally of 12 followed by this term's count of 10 league goals have been less impressive.

Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond recently outlined the veteran alongside Javier Hernandez as being among those who could be on the way out of Old Trafford in the summer:

Benzema, 27, would rejuvenate the Reds' attack, but Los Merengues would assuredly take some convincing to part ways with the attacker who already holds such a good understanding with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and others.

A lot of United's investment could depend on who they see leave the current crop of players already at their disposal, possibly hoping to secure funds before going on any spending spree.