Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Andre Gomes and Harry Kane Rumours

Manchester United are "chasing" Valencia playmaker Andre Gomes and could sign him this summer, provided the Old Trafford club meets the player's £19.5 million release clause.

Latest reports claim the Red Devils also remain in the hunt for Tottenham Hotspur's free-scoring talisman Harry Kane, although any move for the prolific No. 10 will depend on whether Jose Mourinho succeeds Louis van Gaal as manager.

United may face competition for Gomes, but Tom Hopkinson of the Daily Mirror believes the player, who is also wanted by Juventus, would be open to a move to Manchester: "The 22-year-old’s representatives are aware of the Old Trafford giants’ interest and Gomes—rated at £20 million—is open to the move."

That's great news for a United squad in need of an intelligent ball player dictating things from the middle. Ander Herrera can do that job, but injuries and inconsistent form have often seen the former Athletic Bilbao man fall out of favour.

Similarly, Spaniard Juan Mata is a talented creator, but he does his best work in the final third. United need a conductor a little further back.

Gomes fits the bill. He has helped himself to four goals and three assists for Los Che this season, according to WhoScored.com. He's also been on United's radar for a while.

Back in mid-January, the Daily Star (h/t the Daily Mirror) reported how the Reds became keen on the 22-year-old after missing out on rising Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez.

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Gomes certainly has the attributes for the possession-based brand of football United chief Van Gaal favours. But the Portuguese pass master is more forward-thinking than many of the midfielders the Dutchman has been relying on.

Mourinho Will Make Kane a Prime Target

Of course, Van Gaal may not have much say about the players United sign this summer. Not if the rumours about Jose Mourinho's impending arrival prove true.

If they do, the former Chelsea gaffer will make Kane his prime transfer target, according to Miguel Delaney in the Independent: "It is Kane who Mourinho wants above all, however, as he values highly the manner in which the English striker marries relentless running with a fine scoring rate. If Mourinho does get the United job, his admiration for the striker could lead to one of the transfer battles of the summer."

Delaney noted how United have shown plenty of interest in Tottenham's No. 10 in the past. But he believes the Red Devils will have to improve on previous offers if they are going to finally land their man:

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Spurs consider Kane unsellable and their chairman Daniel Levy has proved an immensely tough negotiator in the market—especially with United, who have barely done any deals with Tottenham’s hierarchy since fraught negotiations over the purchase of Dimitar Berbatov in 2008. That went above £30m but United would need to go well over £50m and probably nearer to £60m to have the slightest chance of forcing a Kane move.

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There's no doubt Kane would make a huge impact at United. In the past two seasons, he has established a consistency in front of goal the Manchester club has lacked since Robin van Persie fired the Red Devils to the title during the 2012/13 campaign.

Squawka detailed just how efficient Kane has been:

He's become a striker a team gears its attacking play toward. That makes him ideal for Mourinho, whose best Chelsea teams always operated around a natural focal point up front, be it Didier Drogba or Diego Costa.

United certainly need an overhaul in attack despite the emergence of young forwards Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford. But Kane is perfect for a manager who often seems mistrustful of young players and prefers more established, proven options.

Reports Mourinho will soon arrive at Old Trafford have gathered pace after Spanish newspaper El Pais (h/t Ed Aarons of the Guardian) stated there is a pre-contract agreement already in place.

If Mourinho does take over, signing Kane would be a massive coup to kick-start what would surely be a major rebuild.