Manchester United Transfer News: Lucas Biglia, Pedro Deals Expected, Top Rumours

Manchester United are expected to imminently seal the signings of Lazio captain Lucas Biglia and Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez as manager Louis van Gaal looks to add greater depth to his squad.

Biglia is reportedly set to be brought in as a replacement for the recently departed Angel Di Maria, and will cost £17.5 million, per Antony Kastrinakis in the Sun.

The Lazio midfielder would seemingly be a rather odd signing by Van Gaal, as he is predominantly a defensive midfielder. Considering United already have Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Michael Carrick and Daley Blind on their books, the addition of Argentinian Biglia would seem to be superfluous.

Furthermore, the idea the 29-year-old is to be brought in as a Di Maria replacement is frankly ludicrous, as they are completely different players, per Beyond the Pitch co-host Pilib de Brun:

However, Van Gaal is apparently eager to bring Biglia in before United's Champions League play-off against Club Brugge, the first leg of which is scheduled for August 18, per Kastrinakis.

Similarly, Kastrinakis puts a timeline on United sealing the long-rumoured deal for Pedro, with the move apparently set to take place after Barca's UEFA Super Cup clash against Sevilla on Tuesday. The Red Devils will meet the Spaniard's £22 million release clause.

Neymar was recently diagnosed with mumps, which will keep him out for two weeks, meaning Barca are keen to slow down the progress of the deal because Pedro is essentially back-up for the Brazilian, per Albert Roge of Spanish outlet Sport.

But it seems inevitable United will eventually push the move through, as 28-year-old Pedro has become increasingly sidelined at Camp Nou and is behind Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the pecking order.

He would be a fine addition for United, who are short on depth up front. Pedro would add a significant goal threat and is a much more appropriate, though still not direct, replacement for Di Maria than Biglia, per Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell:

United made a winning start to their 2015-16 Premier League campaign on Saturday, beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Old Trafford.

It was an uninspired performance, though, and they are not yet the finished article.

Pedro could add great dynamism and experience to the attack, but Biglia would be an unnecessary addition, as it is the centre of defence, not midfield, that needs to be strengthened.