Manchester United Transfer News: World-Class Stars Targeted, Latest Rumours

Old Trafford is set to be a hub of activity during the summer transfer window, as manager Louis van Gaal looks to whip his Manchester United squad into shape ahead of their return to the Champions League next term.

However, last year’s additions showed that impulse buying isn’t the way to silverware—the right men are needed for the job in the right areas if the club are to kick on and truly put the dark David Moyes days behind them.

Here’s the latest set of candidates reportedly on Van Gaal’s wish list:

Edinson Cavani

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Striker movement in United’s ranks is the one certainty of this summer’s window, with the club’s misfiring front men set to be replaced.

Radamel Falcao won’t be donning the famous red shirt again, while Robin van Persie’s future is unknown—thus clearing the way for Paris Saint-Germain hot shot Edinson Cavani.

And according to Sportmediaset, via Jon Harvey of Metro, the Red Devils are now in “pole position” to sign the apparent want-away striker after Serie A champions Juventus pulled out of the race for his signature.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Cavani undoubtedly knows his way to goal—his 30 goals in 51 appearances this season tell you that much, per WhoScored.com. However, is he United’s best bet?

The 28-year-old has a lethal touch in front of goal, sure, yet he somehow remains a huge gamble for United.

While the likely astronomical price tag may have something to do with that, it’s his consistency on the big stage that really has to be questioned.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Cavani has the habit of going missing in important games, and should he do that for United, he’ll be painted with the same flop brush as Falcao.

However, the Uruguayan was played out of position a lot during the 2014/15 campaign, and he recently said that he can do damage as an out-and-out striker—per GQ, via ESPN’s Ian Holyman:

"

I have not really been able to play as a central striker with PSG. When I arrived at PSG, I had to change position and play on the wing. People don't understand how that can affect my performance. I could be clinical and score more goals if I was positioned as a true centre forward and not a winger.

"

Playing for Manchester United would undoubtedly give Cavani the chance to prove himself, even if it does mean dropping Wayne Rooney into a deeper role.

However, you can’t help but think there are better options out there for United—Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema for one.

The French forward is a target of Van Gaal's—according to Jamie Jackson of the Guardian—and the Dutchman would know exactly what he’s getting should the reported swoop go to plan.

Plus, Bleacher Report’s French football expert Jonathan Johnson told Ryan Bailey that he considers Benzema a great fit at Old Trafford:

The Real Madrid man would likely be a cheaper alternative to Cavani, too, who looked to have pledged his allegiance to PSG on the final game of the season—per Johnson:

So, once again, we’re back to asking who’s right for the job. Both players would provide goals, but Benzema just has that extra layer of class that can make United a force on the European stage once again.

Philipp Lahm

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Now, if you thought one of Cavani or Benzema heading to Old Trafford was unlikely, this could well push you over the edge.

Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm has been linked with a move to the Premier League, after reports in France stated that now he’s won “everything” in Germany, he wants to move on—as Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express reports.

Jefferson wrote that Van Gaal is a big admirer of the right-back-cum-midfielder, and he reportedly wants to bring him to the Theatre of Dreams to make up for the club’s failure to sign him previously.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Lahm himself revealed that United were once in the market for him, telling Daniel Anwar of Squawka:

"

Yes, as a player you always think about your options, and there was a time where Manchester United made an approach for me—and Barcelona looked at me, too—so I considered life in England or Spain. The Premier League was an interesting possibility. But in the end I decided to stay in Germany. Bayern is my hometown club and I thought good things could happen for the club, so I signed on for more years, and it proved to be the right decision.

"

It certainly was the right decision for Lahm, who’s gone on to lift the Champions League and numerous other trophies in Munich.

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

So, what are the chances of him turning his back on his beloved Bayern?

In short, nil.

Lahm remains one of the best players in the world, and as long as the Bundesliga champions require him in their ranks, he’ll stay.

Where he’d fill in at United is questionable, too—he’d be more of a luxury signing than a necessary one.