Dutch World Cup coach to put rubber stamp on double deal.Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is hoping to complete the superb double signing of Angel Di Maria and Juan Cuadrado when he takes over at Old Trafford after the end of this summer’s World Cup.
CaughtOffside understands that United have made significant progress in their efforts to sign the two wingers, who will cost a combined fee of roughly £72.5m to sign from Real Madrid and Fiorentina, respectively, and that van Gaal hopes to be able to unveil the pair upon his arrival at the club as full-time manager.
The 62-year-old is still in charge of the Netherlands national team for their remaining fixture of the 2014 World Cup, as they prepare to end their tournament with a game in the third-place playoff against host nation Brazil.
Van Gaal’s side were eliminated on penalties by Argentina on Wednesday evening and will be heading home at the weekend, with the manager set to take on a new challenge with United.
The Red Devils have already secured the signings of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw in his absence, and he is thought to be determined to help the club push through some even bigger deals now, with both Di Maria and Cuadrado representing majorly ambitious transfer targets.
Di Maria, whose transfer fee should come to around £48.5m, is up for sale by Real Madrid this summer despite his superb performances to help them win the Champions League and Copa del Rey last season, with the club keen to raise funds to help them sign AS Monaco and Colombian World Cup star James Rodriguez.
The Argentine, who still has the small matter of the World Cup final to think about himself, has been targeted by a number of Premier League clubs in the past, but is thought to be open to a move to Old Trafford despite the club’s lack of Champions League football on offer for next season.
United are ready to pay the required fee to sign the 26-year-old, and could strengthen their attacking options even further with the £24m purchase of Cuadrado from Fiorentina, ahead of the likes of Barcelona and Juventus.
The Serie A star has been high in demand this summer after his superb performances, and United have made him another top target as van Gaal looks to make a major overhaul of his options on the flanks, with the likes of Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia badly struggling to impress in recent seasons.
A new-look midfield with Di Maria and Cuadrado on the flanks, in addition to Herrera in the middle, should help make United a force to be reckoned with again next season.
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