Manchester United Transfer News: Huge Thomas Muller, Javier Hernandez Rumours
Manchester United will launch a £60 million offensive to land Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller, according to Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward "remains confident" of signing the German and bolstering the Red Devils' attacking power after the departure of Robin van Persie, who is set to join Turkish club Fenerbahce.
Per Jamie Jackson of the Guardian, Muller was linked to United last summer before inking a new contract with the Bundesliga champions.
Cross noted Bayern are "reluctant to sell" a player who has played a major role in their recent success. Muller's versatility, ability to link attacking moves and clinical nature in front of goal makes him an attractive prospect to United boss Louis van Gaal, who brought him into Bayern's senior team during his spell as boss at the Allianz Arena.
With Van Persie set to follow Radamel Falcao out the door, Van Gaal has just Wayne Rooney and youngster James Wilson to deploy up front heading into next week's pre-season trip to the United States. New signing Memphis Depay can play an advanced role if needed, but the situation could be exasperated by Sevilla's interest in Javier Hernandez, who is currently sidelined through injury.
The Mexican poacher is a candidate to replace Carlos Bacca, who recently shot the Spanish side to their second consecutive Europa League success. "There is Chicharito, (Ciro) Immobile and other players that we are evaluating," said coach Unai Emery, reported Simon Jones of the MailOnline.
Hernandez's future at United has appeared bleak since Sir Alex Ferguson departed the club. Van Gaal deemed him surplus to requirements and loaned him to Real Madrid last season, where he netted seven goals and provided four assists in 859 minutes worth of play in La Liga, per WhoScored.com.
Although Hernandez is easily barged off the ball and has a tendency to remain under the radar if chances don't come his way, he can excel in the right circumstances. As reported by Sky Sports, Sevilla recently signed creative Ukrainian Yevhen Konoplyanka, a player who can lay on opportunities for Hernandez to rack up his goal tally.
B/R UK's Sam Tighe believes Hernandez is an excellent choice for Sevilla:
However, the 27-year-old's departure would underline how firepower is desperately needed at Old Trafford. United will battle on four fronts next season and must have at least three top-class, proven strikers.
Cross suggested Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani and Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette are potential options. Tighe recently discussed who United should be looking at:
Muller would be an excellent signing for the club. He possesses intelligence like few other forwards and a knack of popping up at the right time. The 25-year-old is a team player—scoring 20 and assisting 13 in the Bundesliga and Champions League last season, per WhoScored.com—and could provide the vital link between United's midfield and attack.
United may have left themselves exposed to being held to ransom: the whole world knows they need to spend, especially now players have departed. Bayern will know this, and if any deal for Muller is to be struck, they will make the English side pay accordingly.
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