Manchester United Transfer News: Arjen Robben Boost, Latest Red Devils Rumours

Manchester United will be pleased to learn that Bayern Munich are reportedly pursuing Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann—ostensibly as a replacement for reported United target Arjen Robben.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw), the Dutchman is close to joining the Red Devils as early as January, causing the Bundesliga giants to seek out a replacement for their star.

Robben is one of the top attacking talents in the world and is a prolific goalscorer from the wing, as OptaFranz demonstrated:

What helps the 31-year-old rack up so many is his almost unrivalled dribbling ability and willingness to drive forward at all times, not to mention his wand of a left foot. His trademark move—to cut in from the right wing and shoot on that left foot to devastating effect—sees him hit the net time and again, but he has also drawn accusations of selfishness.

Indeed, there are many times when the winger frustratingly opts to shoot when a team-mate is in a better position, but a total of 70 assists in 207 appearances for Bayern indicates he can also serve as an effective creator.

United could certainly use his talent, having scored just 17 goals in 12 Premier League games, and they have failed to find the net in four different matches this season—three of them in a particularly barren and uninspiring run at the end of October.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

At his age, Robben might not be an overly long-term acquisition, but equally, it means United are unlikely to have to break the bank to land his signature. As a short-term boost who can lift the team for two or three years, there are few better who could do that.

Potentially on his way out of Old Trafford is Marouane Fellaini, after his national team manager, Marc Wilmots, dropped a strong hint that a move away would help his chances of making the Belgium squad for the 2016 UEFA European Championship.

According to Belgian newspaper Le Soir's Christophe Berti and Frederic Larsimont (via the Daily Mirror's Alex Richards), Wilmots said: "A player who does not play for his club is annoying for a coach. Fellaini could play to support the attack, as the No. 6. He has very good technique, very good ability to track back and recover. Maybe he will try to find a new challenge in January, if it is possible."

As Richards noted, Fellaini has made only a single Premier League start during this campaign.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

That said, he has still made 12 appearances for United—often as manager Louis van Gaal's first and last resort with the team struggling for goals.

James Robson of the Manchester Evening News and football writer Liam Canning captured the increasing frequency with which Van Gaal is relying on Fellaini's physical presence to the Red Devils' front line:

Playing at elite, "fashionable" clubs such as United often help a player's chances of making his national team. However, Wilmots obviously prefers his players to be regular starters, even if Fellaini would have to make a step down in order to do so.

The 27-year-old was a crucial figure for Belgium in qualifying, though, so provided he keeps making appearances at least from the bench, he will probably still earn a call-up next summer.