Manchester United Transfer News: Hugo Lloris and Robin Van Persie Rumours Grow

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has refused to discuss a potential transfer to Manchester United but admits he wants to play Champions League football.

The Frenchman continues to be touted as United's likely replacement if David De Gea joins Real Madrid, but he remains focused on the north London club, as reported by Sky Sports:

"

I am still a Spurs player. I have a contract until 2019 and I have a lot of respect for the gaffer, the club and my teammates, so I don't want to speak about it.

For any player you need to play at the highest level to improve yourself to help your national team to improve. I think every player wants to play in the Champions League because it is the highest level. We work for that and I hope to play Champions League football again.

At the moment, De Gea is still Manchester United keeper so I have no need to talk about that.

"

Despite not wanting to talk, Lloris let an awful lot slip there. Spurs are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League anytime soon, having finished six points behind fourth-placed United during the recently concluded campaign.

Sky Sports, via Audioboom, provided an interview with Lloris:

With United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool all primed to spend well during the summer, it's likely that Tottenham will be looking at fifth or lower when the 2015-16 season arrives. Lloris is a proven Champions League-standard goalkeeper and could offer a top-quality option to most sides that regularly make it into the European tournament.

His decision to play it coy may change if De Gea secures a move to the Bernabeu. Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Anthony Chapman of the Express) reports United boss Louis van Gaal would rather keep De Gea for an extra year and lose him on a free transfer when his contract runs out. In that time, it's likely that he will do everything to make the Spaniard stay.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

De Gea and Lloris share some similar qualities: Both are excellent shot stoppers and quick to burst from their lines. However, many United fans have grown attached to the former, perhaps brought on by watching him develop from a nervous youngster into one of the world's best. It's fair to say the club may have finished below Spurs without him in the side.

Changes are likely to be afoot this summer at Old Trafford. Striker Robin van Persie failed to make an impression throughout Van Gaal's debut campaign, despite successfully playing under the Dutchman at international level.

Speculation suggests he could be on his way to Champions League runners-up Juventus, per Sky Sports. Van Persie admits former team-mate, Patrice Evra, has made the Old Lady sound extremely enticing, as noted in the aforementioned report:

"

I still speak to my old mate Patrice. He has told me stories about how Juventus train, how hard they work and how they manage to be successful.

They have a fantastic spirit – a totally different approach from English or Dutch players before games. They grab each other by the head, they shout at each other to pump each other up. 

And they also have big running sessions after games. Patrice has showed me there are many ways to be successful.

"

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Van Persie suggests he just wants to play football, saying, "It is my ambition to play as many games as possible." He indicates that squad depth, and perhaps Van Gaal's plans to expand numbers in the summer, could impact his career in a disappointing way:

"

I know that when you are at a club like Manchester United – it is like a beast. It is so big and strong it can do wonderful things for you, but it also has a negative side and that is what I have got to decide on this summer.

United spent £200m on players last year and they are going to spend another £200m this summer so we will have a team that can compete for the title. 

I'll have to take everything into consideration when I decide on my future. I have to be realistic about the situation.

"

The 31-year-old scored just 10 Premier League goals last season and 12 the previous year under David Moyes. He netted 26 in his debut campaign with United, firing them to the Premier League title by showing his lethal nature in front of goal. Many will remember his title-winning hat-trick against Aston Villa and wonder where that player has disappeared to since then.

Van Persie's movement has slowed down, his passing isn't as sharp and he doesn't seem as capable at creating his own opportunities. He often blunted United's play last season, making it appear mightily obvious that Van Gaal needs to spend on additional attacking power. Memphis Depay's arrival from PSV Eindhoven is likely the first of many.

B/R UK's Sam Tighe believes the team should sell Van Persie:

The veteran striker is also linked with a move to Lazio, but president Claudio Lotito recently told Corriere dello Sport (h/t ESPN FC) that rumours are "rubbish." It is perhaps a huge coincidence the player was recently spotted in Rome, as tweeted by Transfer News Live (h/t ESPN FC):

Both Van Persie's exit and his stay can be justified. He is a leader, and once in form, he has the potential to set up a profitable scoring run. His overall game has been lacking across the past two seasons, though, something that continues to hold United back.

He could excel in Italy and, with the move, allow Van Gaal to look for the striker who will define his tenure at United.