Manchester United Transfer News: Triple Raid on Valencia Planned, Latest Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly keeping an eye on a trio of Valencia stars as they prepare to make some moves in the January transfer market.

Sky Sports reports that United sent scouts to watch Valencia play Gent in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Shkodran Mustafi, Jose Luis Gaya and Andre Gomes the players of interest.

United have shown in the last few windows that they are not afraid to splash the cash, and they are seemingly preparing for a raid on Los Che in January.

The Red Devils could do with some added quality in their squad, as their recent performances have been largely underwhelming, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

Despite a stellar season thus far from Chris Smalling, United are still lacking depth in the centre-back ranks.

German international Mustafi, 23, could be a fine addition at Old Trafford and could form a long-term partnership with Smalling.

He is a high-quality player with enormous potential, per La Liga writer Andrew Gaffney:

According to Jamie Anderson in the Daily Star, he would be open to a move away from Valencia and could be available for £15 million.

Gaya would likely be a more expensive defensive purchase for United, having previously been valued at £35 million, per Sport (h/t talkSPORT). At such a price, it seems unlikely that United will go in for the 20-year-old Spaniard. In the injured Luke Shaw, the Red Devils already have a left-back with bags of potential.

The Englishman's long-term injury has undoubtedly left them short of options on the left side of defence, but Marcos Rojo is coping well and Shaw will likely be reinstated as a starter on his return.

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United may look to add more depth in the position, but it would be unnecessary for them to shell out big money for Gaya despite his immense potential and talent.

Similarly, Gomes would not come cheap, having only moved to Valencia in the summer after rejecting an approach from United, per Anderson.

A gifted central midfielder, the 22-year-old Portuguese would be a decent squad player at United, but given the recent additions of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, they do not desperately need a player like him in January.

Per Sky Sports, Southampton and Manchester City also had scouts at Valencia's game on Wednesday, and United will likely face competition for any one of their reported targets.

Mustafi would be a sensible purchase in January to add strength to United's back four, but Gomes and Gaya do not seem to be necessary additions at the moment.