Manchester United Transfer News: Hakan Calhanoglu, Anthony Martial Rumours

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is reportedly a big admirer of Bayer Leverkusen starlet Hakan Calhanoglu.

According to Tuttomercato (h/t the Daily Mirror), the Red Devils boss is keen on signing the attacking midfielder, who has lit up the Bundesliga so far this season with Leverkusen. Here’s a look at the kind of qualities he would potentially bring to Old Trafford: 

Renowned for his free-kick prowess, Calhanoglu is quickly becoming a household name for fans of European football. The Turkish international is sensational when standing over a dead ball, capable of whipping in devilish corners, enticing crosses and finding the back of the net from a variety of angles and distances.

As noted here by WhoScored.com, from range, there was no player in Europe more lethal than Calhanoglu in 2014-15:

There’s plenty more to the young man’s game than smashing the ball in from distance, though. Calhanoglu is a superb technician, a brilliant dribbler and he has showcased a burgeoning eye for a pass in recent matches. As such, he’s becoming one of the most well-rounded young players in the Bundesliga.

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In terms of his temperament, Calhanoglu is someone who doesn’t seem fazed by anything, either. Indeed, he’s probably turned in his best performances for Bayer in the Champions League this season, as we can see here courtesy of the tournament’s official Twitter feed:

So it’s no surprise massive clubs are being linked with the 21-year-old. Calhanoglu has all the traits to be a superstar, and if he was to move to Old Trafford, he would join a crop of exciting young players. 

But United aren’t really in need of an attacking midfielder, with plenty of quality to call upon already in this particular area of the field—which would render Calhanoglu something of a rapacious purchase.

Playing an important role for Roger Schmidt’s Bayer team will expedite the youngster’s development, meaning the BayArena is the best place for him for now.

Anthony Martial Snubbed Mystery Club for United

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Ligue 1 side Monaco have revealed that another club were keen on signing Anthony Martial this summer, and they offered more money than Manchester United for the teenage superstar.

“There was another club that offered even more than United,” said Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev, per Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror. “I will not say how much, but the fixed price, without variables, it was even better. And also they offered us to have him for a further year in Monaco.”

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Vasilyev didn’t confirm which club it was that offered the money for Martial, but he stated the teenager decided to join United because it was his “dream.” The young Frenchman has enjoyed an immaculate start to life at Old Trafford, scoring four goals and dazzling defenders with an array of attacking qualities.

As noted by Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wilson, Martial projects a self assurance that is scarcely seen in players as young as him:

While United were criticised by some for the amount they splashed out to get Martial to Old Trafford, it seems as though there were others with their eye on this prodigious talent, too. So fair play to the Red Devils for acting quickly, getting the youngster on board and reaping the rewards.

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Of course, it’s far too early to decipher whether or not Martial is worth the money that United parted with to get him to the Premier League. But if he continues developing, there’s little stopping the forward from going to the very top of the game.