With the January transfer window having been open now for the past three weeks, we take a look at five possible new recruits who could be heading to Old Trafford before it slams shut for the season once again at the end of the month.
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Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)
The Premier League champions have been scouting the deadly Spain international for most of this season as new head coach David Moyes looks to add more strength in depth to his forward line, especially given the continuing doubts surrounding the future of England striker Wayne Rooney at the Theatre of Dreams.
And the forward that the Scot is lining up to take over from Rooney should the attacker quit the club is Atleti’s prolific marksman, with the Red Devils having sent their scouts over the Spanish capital this month to watch the Brazil-born front man in action first hand ahead of making a possible move for Costa before the winter window slams shut for business for the season once again at the end of the month, says the Daily Mail.
Leighton Baines (Everton)
The United boss knows Everton’s highly rated England international well from their time working together previously at Goodison Park, with Moyes being the man who first brought the left back to the Merseyside giants from Wigan Athletic.
And after failing with two bids for Baines in the previous transfer window, with both offers deemed insignificant by the Toffees, the Red Devils are now expected to return with a third and final offer for the 29-year-old this month in order to try and persuade Everton to finally part company with the attack-minded full back, according to reports in the Metro.
However, United must first hope that Baines does not first agree to put pen to paper on a new long-term deal with Everton.
Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain)
United have been heavily linked with making a huge bid for the prolific Paris Saint-Germain striker in recent days, with the Daily Mail even reporting that former Red Devils head coach Sir Alex Ferguson would use his friendship with the Ligue 1 champions’ current boss, and ex-United defender, Laurent Blanc to seal the deal.
According to the paper, the Uruguay international has already grown tired of life in the French capital, despite the 26-year-old having only moved to the Parc des Princes from Serie A outfit Napoli for a whopping transfer fee of £55m last summer.
However, Cavani is said to now be keen to try his hand out in the Premier League, with the player having been impressed with how compatriot Luis Suarez’s career has taken off since he moved to the English top flight from Eredivisie giants Ajax in January 2011.
Filipe Luis (Atletico de Madrid)
The Red Devils have sent scouts over to the Vincente Calderon in recent weeks to check out Atletico de Madrid’s impressive Brazil international as manager David Moyes continues his search for a replacement for the departing France international Patrice Evra.
The defender, who has been in the Spanish capital now for the past four years, is currently enjoying a fine campaign on the left-hand side of Atleti’s back four and according to reports in the Daily Telegraph, the La Liga high flyers are now prepared to offer United the chance to buy their full back if the Premier League champions in turn withdraw their own interest in Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata.
Juan Mata (Chelsea)
The champions are now on the verge of completing their club-record purchase of Chelsea’s unwanted Spain wide man, says The Times, although the two Premier League rivals still need to be able to agree a fee for the 25-year-old.
United are prepared to splash out a whopping £37m for Mata, who the Blues signed for £23.5m from La Liga outfit Valencia just three three years ago.
However, it is understood that the west London club are demanding a fee of £40m for Mata and will not allow the player to leave Stamford Bridge this month unless their asking price is met.
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