Manchester United Transfer News: Rumours on Gareth Bale, Paul Pogba and More

Manchester United wasted no time setting the tone for what could become an extremely active summer at Old Trafford. They announced an agreement with PSV Eindhoven for rising star Memphis Depay on Thursday, which will finalize once the transfer window opens next month.

United are still battling to ensure a Champions League berth for next term. They currently lead Liverpool by four points for the final spot. It's become clear upgrades are necessary to compete for the top trophies, however, and now that effort is underway.

Depay represents a terrific start to the process and a strong long-term investment. Based on the rumour mill, it would be a surprise if he's the only big name they acquire, though. Let's check out some of the latest buzz involving the Red Devils.

Gareth Bale

Bale is going through some struggles with Real Madrid. Any time a high-profile player endures a period of mediocre form, the transfer talk usually begins to heat up. That's the case here, and he's been linked to a move back to the Premier League.

The 25-year-old winger enjoyed success at both Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur before joining the star-studded Real squad. James Dickenson of the Daily Express reports he's one of a handful of notable players on the United radar heading into the summer:

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Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels (£30 million) and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (£20 million) are wanted.

Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne (£20 million) is also a key target while Real Madrid ace Gareth Bale (£80 million) and Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani (£50 million) are pricey but realistic options.

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If nothing else, that list showcases the fact United are shooting for the stars during the next transfer window. The Bale talk is likely overblown, though. Sky Sports News passed along comments from the Welsh international's agent:

Speed on the wing to help create more scoring chances should certainly be on the club's shopping list in the months ahead. However, it doesn't sound like Bale is searching for an escape route from Real. Of course, United should be on alert just in case his status changes.

Paul Pogba

It's quickly become clear Pogba is going to become one of the most talked-about players this summer. He's no stranger to transfer buzz, but it's getting particularly intense as the current campaign winds to a close. And his former club is among those in the mix.

Pogba played for United at both the young and first-team levels. He moved to Juventus after being unable to lock down a consistent role with the Red Devils. Now he's developed into one of the most complete midfielders in the world.

The question is whether he would seriously entertain a return to Old Trafford. Jamie Sanderson of Metro reports United are lurking with a £58 million price tag floated. Jason Burt of The Telegraph confirmed they are in the market for that type of player:

If United are serious about making a run at Pogba, they better be ready to open the checkbook. A bidding war is likely to develop with numerous big-spending clubs seeking upgrades in the middle. But the impact he could make is enormous.

Nathaniel Clyne

Clyne has enjoyed a steady rise during his time with Crystal Palace and Southampton. He's not a player who had a massive amount of hype around him from the outset. Instead, he's worked hard to develop into a reliable defender capable of joining the attack on the right side.

Now it might be time for him to join a bigger club. He's 24, which means he should be about to enter his peak years, and United are interested. Jack Pitt-Brooke of the London Evening Standard reports a deal could even be on the horizon:

"There will certainly be upgrades in other positions before the transfer window closes—it does not even open for another three weeks. United are confident of signing Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton, ahead of Chelsea, and Clyne's future is likely to be settled next week."

It would be a major coup for the Red Devils to lock down another emerging talent before the transfer window even opens. That's especially true if Chelsea are also heavily involved. Keeping him away from the Blues makes it a win-win scenario for manager Louis van Gaal.

United have cycled through several different options at right-back in recent years. Clyne can provide stability at the position for several years. The sooner they can get a deal done, the quicker the focus can shift to other needs.