Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Marco Reus and Anthony Martial Rumours

Manchester United reportedly enquired into Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus' availability over the summer but "baulked" at the German's £60 million price tag.

That's according to the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst, who adds that United were "only prepared to pay £50 million" for the 26-year-old.

Reus would have been a phenomenal acquisition for the Red Devils. United moved on six attacking options this summer, including world-class playmaker Angel Di Maria, but brought in just two replacements for those who departed.

The German is an incredibly creative and incisive player, who was arguably the perfect choice to replace Di Maria.

The attacking midfielder has scored 59 goals and supplied 46 assists in 129 appearances for BVB. Indeed, the attacker has got this season off to a flyer, bagging six goals and assisting one in all competitions.

WhoScored.com highlight the player's astounding ability to create chances for his team-mates and provide a rundown of his impressive array of strengths:

Sky Germany's Jan Aage Fjortoft and Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl were just two of many who were devastated by the news that Reus would miss the 2014 World Cup due to injury:

As Wayne Rooney continues to struggle, Reus is the calibre of player the Red Devils need to add dynamism and potency to their attack.

What makes their reluctance to splash the cash on him even more strange is their capture of Anthony Martial from Monaco, whose £36 million transfer fee could rise to almost the fee Dortmund wanted for their star.

According to Sky Sports, Monaco vice-chairman Vadim Vasilyev told the Sun: 

"

It's true that the price for Martial is £57.6 million but take into account this sum includes bonuses which are very realistic.

Initially Martial was not for sale, it was absolutely not planned. Since last week United started to make offers which we declined several times—£21.6, £28.8, £36, even £50.4 million with bonuses.

On Sunday the player got such an offer that he couldn't have declined. He asked us to find a solution and on Monday morning Manchester United made an offer to Monaco which the club couldn't refuse. 

It's absolutely unique. It's the price of Luis Suarez or Neymar—the best players in the world. 

"

United's willingness to throw huge sums of money at an unproven striker—even one with Martial's excellent potential—when a ready-made, world-class talent such as Reus could be acquired for the same price is simply bizarre.

Frederic Stevens/Getty Images

The move far Martial in lieu of Reus and his ilk is likely to be a significant concern for United fans.

Per the MEN's Stuart Mathieson, the Red Devils have spent more than £255 million since Louis van Gaal's arrival.

While, for the most part, they appear an all-round stronger squad on paper thanks to the additions made under the Dutchman, on the pitch they aren't performing dramatically better than they did under David Moyes.

Certainly, the club's current total of seven points from four largely winnable Premier League games does not reflect the level of investment made, so in the coming season the Red Devils need to review either the way they do business in the transfer market or Van Gaal's management of the team.

In the meantime, United fans will be hoping Martial has a positive impact on their uninspiring forward play. The Frenchman may be able to justify his enormous fee given time, but it will likely be quite some time in the future.