Manchester United Transfer News: Harry Kane Bid Eyed, Nicolas Otamendi Rumours

Harry Kane is reportedly Manchester United's main transfer target this summer.

Per Matt Lawton and Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, Kane, who will cost £45 million, is the key figure on Louis van Gaal's wish list as he reportedly prepares to spend a further £150 million improving his squad ahead of United's return to the Champions League next season.

The Times is also reporting Kane as a target for United, as shown by 101 Great Goals:

Kane has burst onto the scene in style this season, surpassing 30 goals in all competitions, including 20 in 26 Premier League starts, as recorded by WhoScored.com.

The 21-year-old may have to adapt his game if he finds himself in a United shirt next season; his relative lack of pace has been identified regularly this campaign, and his passing accuracy of 75 per cent is well below the Red Devils' 86 per cent average, per Squawka.

Nevertheless, Kane is a quality goal poacher and looks set to have a bright future in the game, so he would likely prove to be an excellent addition to United's ageing front line.

However, the Press Association (via ITV.com) reports that Kane is not for sale. Even so, Spurs have negotiated and accepted big money for the likes of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, so they may still be tempted with a £45 million offer.

Van Gaal, who has already agreed a £25 million deal for PSV winger Memphis Depay, has also pinpointed other key areas in the squad that need strengthening, such as central defence.

Per Lawton and Keegan, Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward confirmed United will be active in the transfer market this summer. Woodward said, "We expect to be active again during the window. The squad will be absolutely deep enough and ready to challenge on all fronts next year and that involves ins and outs in the summer."

For more discussion on whom Van Gaal should look at to improve his defence, check out this video of B/R's Ryan Bailey and Sam Tighe:

According to AS' Julian Burgos (via George Bellshaw of Metro), one such addition in this area could be Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi.

Bellshaw claims that United unsuccessfully bid for Otamendi in January but are determined to get their man, who "secretly is keen" to join Van Gaal's team.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Though only Chelsea and Southampton have conceded fewer goals than United in the Premier League this season, for which David De Gea can take huge credit, defensive reinforcements are needed if they are to challenge for the league title next term.

Otamendi would be a step in the right direction, but he is not quite the man to replicate the form of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in their heyday. 

The 27-year-old is certainly an all-action defender, and his average of 12 defensive actions per match is higher than anyone in United's squad—as are his records of 69 tackles and 100 aerial duels won in La Liga this season, per Squawka.

Oscar del Pozo/Associated Press

However, a consequence of Otamendi's heavy involvement is that he is more liable to making mistakes. According to Squawka, the centre-back has made five errors that have led directly to an attempt on goal this season, which is more than anyone on United's team.

Despite the errors, Otamendi would be an improvement on the Red Devils' current options at centre-back, who have failed to inspire confidence time and again this season.

Should he cost more than £20 million or so, however, the funds would likely be better spent elsewhere on genuine world-class talent who can restore United's air of invulnerability.

On the other hand, Kane would be an excellent long-term signing and a powerful statement to their title rivals. United have plundered Spurs for talent on a number of occasions before and may well do so again this summer.