Top ten talents linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer.
It is all change at Manchester United following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of last season. David Moyes has taken over from the legendary Scottish manager and is eager to stamp his mark on United’s squad by signing several quality players over the summer. Here are Manchester United’s top ten summer transfer targets.
10- Yohan Cabaye- Newcastle United
The midfielder has been a integral part of Newcastle’s midfield for several years now and had an excellent 2011/2012 season, where he helped the Magpies to a fifth place finish in the Premier League, falling agonisingly short of a place in the Champions League. The 2012/2013 wasn’t as kind for Newcastle and instead of mixing with the Premier League’s top clubs they were fighting a relegation battle, finishing 16th. Much criticism feel on manager Alan Pardew and with the appointment of Joe Kinnear as the club’s director of football, it remains to be seen whether Pardew will still be at the club next season. The same could be said of Cabaye, who is one of Pardew’s star players and following a disappointing season at St James’s Park, the Frenchman could be moving to another club in the transfer window. One of those clubs could be Manchester United, with Cabaye recently stating how much he would like to play for the Red Devils. United are looking to strengthen their midfield this summer and could look at Cabaye as possible signing. However, United will face competition from French clubs Paris St Germain and AS Monaco with both set to offer Newcastle £20 million for Cabaye.
9- Luka Modric- Real Madrid
Modric was one of the Premier League’s most inventive midfielders before he left Tottenham last summer for Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid. The player hasn’t had a successful time during his debut season in La Liga and has struggled to hold down a regular place in Madrid’s starting line-up. Real Madrid have many creative midfielders including Mesurt Ozil and Kaka, and the presence of these players has meant that Modric has started most of his games from the bench. This had led to speculation that Modric’s stay in the Spanish capital could be a short one and he could leave the Spanish giants this summer and return to the Premier League. One possible destination could be Manchester United, who were interested in signing Modric before he joined Real Madrid. United are in need of a creative midfielder, especially as Paul Scholes retired at the end of the season and a player as skilled as Modric would certainly be welcomed by Manchester United’s fans. Modric has however said that he would like to stay in Madrid and prove himself but the club recently signed Spanish star Isco, who is also a play-maker, meaning Modric may not get many first team opportunities if he stays in Spain.
8- Geoffrey Kondogbia- Sevilla
The French midfielder is one of the most highly rated young players in Europe at the moment and has even been compared to former Arsenal captain Patrick Viera. Kondogbia has had an excellent season for Sevilla and has cemented his place at the heart of the Spanish clubs midfield. However, his impressive performances have led to interest from many of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester United. The Premier League champions are desperate to strengthen their midfield this summer with manager David Moyes seeing central midfield as a weak link in the clubs squad. United have always liked the idea of signing young players and then letting them develop over time and can see the potential in Kondogbia. The club are reported to have already bid £7 million for the midfielder but that was rejected by Sevilla but United are set to up their bid to £8.5 million, an amount Sevilla are likely to accept. Their could also be the possibility that United will loan Kondogbia back to Sevilla so that he can be assured of plenty of first team football next season.
7- Marouane Fellaini- Everton
Fellaini has become one of the Premier League’s most in demand central midfielders, having had several excellent seasons with Everton. The midfielder is incredibly versatile, being able to play in a defensive midfield position and also in attacking midfield, sometimes playing just behind the striker. He is also a huge presence at set pieces, scoring many headed goals. He excellent performances for Everton has led to speculation that the Belgian will be leaving the Toffees this summer, with Manchester United among the many suitors. With David Moyes recently becoming United boss, Fellaini may want to join his form manager at Old Trafford, having formed a good relationship with the Scot during his years at Everton. Moyes knows that United need a combative central midfielder and Fellaini is one of the best in the Premier League at the moment. However, many other clubs are interested in Fellaini, with Chelsea and Arsenal also in the race. The Gunners have reportedly moved into pole position to sign the Belgian having bid £22 million to activate the midfielders buy-out clause. Moyes may have to move quickly and submit a £22 million bid or risk losing Fellaini to a Premier League rival.
6- Thiago Alcantara- Barcelona
Thiago is seen by many as one of Europe’s most gifted young play-makers, having learnt from some of the best in Xavi and Andres Iniesta during his time at Barcelona. The midfield scored a hat-trick in the final of the European under 21 Championship in Israel as Spain beat Italy 4-2. This raised the midfielders profile even further and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing the youngster. Thiago is frustrated by life at Barcelona as he is unable to get into the club’s first team because of the competition for places in Barca’s midfield. He only played a small role in Barcelona’s La Liga title win last season and because of this, his buy-out clause was lowered to just £15 million due to a term in his current contract. Thiago believes that he needs to playing regular first team football in order to get better and he also wants to be a part of Spain’s squad for next summers World Cup. That will not happen if he is warming the bench and Manchester United have already guaranteed him a place in their starting line-up next season. Thiago could be seen by David Moyes as a replacement for Paul Scholes and United have reportedly offered the midfielder a £120,000 a week contract to make sure he makes the move to Old Trafford.
5- Leighton Baines- Everton
The 28 year old has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the past few days, as Everton announced that they had rejected a £12 million move for Baines from the Red Devils. David Moyes is keen to bring one of his trusted players with him to Old Trafford and the club are set to up their bid to £15 million shortly. Everton have recently stated that it could take around £20 million for the club to consider accepting a bid so a lot more negotiations maybe needed. Many pundits suggested that one of the first situations that Moyes will need to address is a replacement for Patrice Evra. The left back has had a huge role in United’s recent success but the Frenchman is getting older and more prone to injuries, meaning a replacement will be needed sooner or later. Moyes appears to have chosen his replacement but it remains to be seen whether Everton will part with one of their most prized assets. Everton are reportedly set to offer Baines another contract to stay at Goodison Park so it could be down to the player to decide where he will be playing next season.
4- Kevin Strootman- PSV Eindhoven
The Dutch midfielder could be the answer to Manchester United’s central midfield problem. Strootman has already been identified as a leader having already captained his country during a World Cup qualifier. He has also played 18 times for Holland, becoming a regular fixture in their midfield. His club future remains uncertain, with many clubs across Europe interested in Strootman’s services. Manchester United have long been interest in Strootman, having come close to signing the midfielder last summer. United are still interested this summer and could decide to make a bid for the Dutchman soon. Strootman himself has said that despite interest from all over Europe, he still has his heart set on a move the Premier League. A strong, combative midfielder, Strootman could be the heir to Roy Keane’s mantle, with United never having replaced their former captain properly. Strootman is almost certain to move on this summer and with so much interest in the midfielder, United may have to move quickly if they wish to sign him.
3- Ezequiel Garay- Benfica
Manchester United have been interested in Garay for sometime now with reports stating that a fee had been agreed with Benfica since February. It now looks like United are getting close to signing the highly rated central defender with a reported fee of £17 million being enough to acquire Garay. Reports suggested that Benfica have already signed a replacement for Garay in the form of Arsenal De Sarandi defender Lisandro Lopez, meaning Garay’s transfer to United has moved even closer. It has been suggested that the defender could be a long-term replacement for United captain Nemenja Vidic who has been troubled by injury recently. Vidic only managed to play in 23 games for United last season and the team missed him every time he was unable to play. Some have even speculated that United may now sell Vidic as he is not in David Moyes plans. That is unlikely but a replacement does need to be signed for the Serb because it is unknown how many games he will be able to manage during a long season.
2- Gareth Bale- Tottenham Hotspur
Bale has had an exceptional few seasons for Tottenham, none more so than last season when he scored 23 goals as the club narrowly missed out on a place in the Champions League. Bale is thought to be disappointed that the club couldn’t qualify for the Champions League and speculation has increased that the winger may move away from White Hart Lane in order to play in the competition on a regular basis. Manchester United are one of the clubs who are chasing Bale and could see the Welshman as the heir to Ryan Giggs. Although Giggs is still at the club, he rarely plays on the left wing and Bale would be an excellent addition to United’s squad. However, United are competing for Bale with Real Madrid, who are desperate to land the Welshman, with Madrid president Florentino Perez making repeated statements about the winger. United will hope that Bale still wants to stay in the Premier League and Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle recently stated that he hopes Bale does stay in England even if it means him moving to United. However, Bale could still stay at Spurs despite their failure to qualify for the Champions League with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy set to offer Bale a new contract to stay at the club.
1- Cristano Ronaldo- Real Madrid
Many Manchester United fans would love it if Ronaldo returned to his former home. The Portuguese winger spent 6 happy seasons at United before moving to Real Madrid for £80 million. Ronaldo is thought to be unhappy at Madrid, saying so in an interview in October. He also clearly enjoyed being back at Old Trafford during Madrid’s Champions League game against United in March. However, Madrid want to keep Ronaldo at the club for as long as possible and do not want to let him leave during the peak years of his career. Ronaldo’s contract expires in 2015 and the club a trying desperately to get him to extend it but the winger is keeping them waiting. This has given hope to United that they maybe able to sign Ronaldo, however they may have to wait until next summer when the wingers price has dropped due to him being near the end of his contract. Signing Ronaldo would be quite a coup for David Moyes but he made need the help of predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson to persuade Ronaldo to come back to Old Trafford.