Manchester United Transfer News: Major Stars Eyed by Louis van Gaal, Top Rumours

Paris Saint-Germain’s star centre-forward Edinson Cavani could reportedly be available for £32 million, with Manchester United said to have been “made aware” of the Uruguayan’s price.

That’s according to Sean Kearns of Metro, who noted L’Equipe have run a story suggesting the French champions are seeking replacements for Cavani already. Kearns wrote that skipper Wayne Rooney’s days of leading the line are “almost inevitably over” at Old Trafford, and manager Louis van Gaal wants some added firepower up top to complement the youthful Anthony Martial.

VI-Images/Getty Images

For the Red Devils, landing the striker for what is a relatively meagre amount would represent some savvy business. Here’s a look at why:

First, it would address a big concern in the current setup. United have played slow and occasionally stagnant football under the tutelage of Van Gaal, often making the job of the centre-forward a difficult one. But Rooney is beginning to resemble a player with many miles on the clock, while Martial remains a little too raw to lead the line on his own.

As noted by Duncan Castles of the Sunday Times, the Dutch boss seems to be a little confused about his options at the point of the attack:

Cavani would definitely remedy the issue. The Uruguayan is a rangy forward who can fulfil a variety of tactical duties. Technically he is sound, holding the ball up he is very capable and he has the physicality to cope with English football’s unforgiving reputation.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

However, as WhoScored.com suggested here, it’s not been an easy season in Ligue 1 for the PSG man:

Still, a sum of £32 million does seem a little too low. There are rumours swirling over the prospect of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic departure at the end of the campaign, per the Guardian. If Cavani was also to depart, there’d be a huge chasm to fill up front for the French champions. With that in mind, you’d expect PSG to fight hard to keep hold of their No. 9. 

United to Launch Paul Pogba Swoop

Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images

According to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Luke Gardener of the Daily Star), Manchester United are looking at landing their former midfielder Paul Pogba as part of what’d be a remarkable double raid on Juventus.

The piece suggested the Red Devils also have their eye on the Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri, and they are already said to have made an approach. Gardener wrote Pogba has “asked his agent Mino Raiola to make a move happen,” and “he is keen to carry on working with Allegri as the two have a good relationship at the Serie A club.”

ANDREAS SOLARO/Getty Images

Pogba famously left Old Trafford in 2012 before developing into one of the finest midfielders in world football with Juve. Now, he is a player who is at the heart of this Bianconeri side and seems to be making massive strides whenever he takes to the field.

As Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe commented during a recent win for Juventus over Manchester City, Pogba has been in tremendous form recently:

Given how well he has developed in Turin—after a rocky start to this campaign, he now seems to be relishing being the leader of this Juventus team—Pogba should ponder his next move carefully. Of course, at United he’d return a much more rounded player than before, but he’ll still have bad memories of being marginalised at Old Trafford.

As talented as Pogba is, the middle of the park is one area in this squad where United are exceptionally well-stocked. So should the Red Devils be willing to spend massive money on a player next summer, which the Frenchman would undoubtedly cost, then it should be to bolster a position currently lacking in quality.