Manchester United Transfer News: Ilkay Gundogan Imminent, Carlos Bacca Rumours

Manchester United are ready to announce the signing of Borussia Dortmund midfield playmaker Ilkay Gundogan. The Red Devils are expected to reveal the £20 million signing as early as this weekend, according to Daily Express writer David Wright.

It will rate as a major fillip to United's bid to return to the top of the Premier League standings after two seasons of rebuilding. Gundogan certainly fits the type of possession-based game Old Trafford gaffer Louis van Gaal insists his team plays.

Gundogan usually operates deep for the Bundesliga club, but he influences forward play with his smart and direct passing between the lines. United have been guilty of being pedestrian in possession at times this season.

That would change with Gundogan on board. He's been an excellent source of supply for releasing pacy forwards such as Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Van Gaal will be keen to seal a deal for Gundogan and have the 24-year-old provide the same passes for fleet-footed new boy Memphis Depay.

United Favourites for Europa League Hitman Carlos Bacca

Van Gaal appears to be in the box seat to sign £21.3 million-rated Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca as well. In fact, the Red Devils are ready to begin negotiations with the La Liga side, per Metro's George Bellshaw. He also cites a claim from Spanish website Fichajes.net that Sevilla will "cash in" on Bacca after he helped them win the UEFA Europa League.

The 28-year-old scored twice during a 3-2 win over Dnipro in a thrilling final, per the Guardian's Jonathan Wilson. Frankly, Bacca is an absolute steal, even for £21.3 million.

He's an intelligent mover who comes alive and is deadly in the box. He's put away 29 goals this season, per WhoScored.com, a real testament to his late-blooming class.

Metro writer Lee Thomas-Mason cites stats that emphasise how consistent Bacca has been in front of goal: "According to the stats, Bacca has managed to score a goal every other game at every club he’s ever played for."

Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst recently suggested United have sorely lacked an efficient finisher since ruthless Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy terrorised defences in England's top flight: "Van Nistelrooy was selfish and selfless. One of his 150 goals came from outside the box, and although he never regained the speed he possessed before suffering a cruciate ligament injury in 2000, he compensated for it with reliable hold-up play, which is beyond Rooney's heavy first touch."

Bacca can offer the same qualities Van Nistelrooy brought to Old Trafford. His clever runs and tireless effort harassing defenders should make him a quick hit in the often-frenetic Premier League.

With Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie rating as huge disappointments last season, Bacca would be a superb addition alongside Wayne Rooney.

Nathaniel Clyne Hints He May Stay at Southampton

United need help in forward areas but also require more talent at the back. Unfortunately, the club could miss out on their right-back for the next 10 years. That is, if Nathaniel Clyne has his way.

Clyne has offered a strong hint he'll resist a move away from Southampton this summer. He made the claim during an interview with Sky Sports News (h/t Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst): "As long as you're playing well for your club and you're doing ever so well in the Premier League then, yeah, you'll get a chance, regardless of whether you're in a top team or not. But Southampton's pushing up, so why can't we be a top team?"

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

If Clyne does stay on the south coast, it will rate as something of a blow for United. Van Gaal's team has a gaping hole at right-back, where converted winger Antonio Valencia has floundered this season.

But Clyne has the tireless engine, sharp instincts for going forward and athleticism to pick up the mantle left by Paul Parker and Gary Neville.

If Clyne is no longer in play, expect United to turn to Barcelona stalwart Dani Alves. The veteran Brazilian is on the Red Devils' transfer shortlist, per the Independent's Simon Rice.

Alves is a worthy consolation. But missing out on a young English star with his best years ahead of him would still sting.

Van Gaal can dramatically reshape United this summer. If he lands Gundogan and Bacca, he'll secure two of the best players available in this window and make United a legitimate contender for next season's major prizes.