New United boss eyes three from Spain squad.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is hoping to do his first business since taking over Old Trafford by tabling big-money offers for three members of Spain’s embarrassed World Cup squad as they return home from Brazil.
With the Dutchman growing increasingly frustrated in his efforts to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos, Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, and Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, CaughtOffside understands that the former Barcelona boss has switched his focus to three new targets to address his squad’s need in those positions.
Although van Gaal is also currently working on guiding the Netherlands national side to glory in this summer’s World Cup, with his side’s surprise 5-1 thrashing of holders Spain helping send Vicente Del Bosque’s side home, he is keen to ensure he can get his first major signings for United done quickly, so he can have a reasonable squad in place by the time he returns for pre-season.
In what should total a £96m deal, the ambitious new United manager clearly still rates this Spain squad highly, and has identified three players who could now be available to open talks over a move to Manchester this summer.
3) Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich)
A capable performer both in a defensive midfield role or at centre-back, Javi Martinez of Bayern Munich could make a good alternative to Thomas Vermaelen for United. The experienced Spaniard has been part of his national side’s recent dominance on the international stage and has also proved instrumental in Bayern’s tremendous success in the last two seasons. Still, it is thought that he could be available this summer after hints of a falling out with manager Pep Guardiola, and this could give United the chance to revive their interest in a player that Sir Alex Ferguson was also keen to sign back in 2012 when he was still at Athletic Bilbao. £27m could be enough to persuade the Bavarian giants to let him go, and that could represent good value for money if he finds his best form in English football.
2) Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Recent stories have suggested that Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba would be van Gaal’s preferred left-back target if the Red Devils failed to bring in England youngster Shaw, and with Southampton seemingly holding up a deal for the 18-year-old to leave St Mary’s, Alba could now be the player brought in to replace veteran defender Patrice Evra. Alba has been a top performer for club and country in recent years, showing great ability in getting forward from the back, and at an asking price of around £22m, he would actually prove cheaper than Shaw, who has been valued at more like £27m by the Saints.
1) Koke (Atletico Madrid)
Finally, a massive £47m could go on activating the release clause of Koke at Atletico Madrid. A fine alternative to Toni Kroos, who seems to be favouring a move to Real Madrid over United, van Gaal is determined to get this deal done quickly, and will seemingly be happy to pay the full asking price to beat the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea to his signature. The 22-year-old was one of the best creative midfield players in La Liga and arguably Europe this season with a superb record of seven goals and 15 assists from the middle of the park, and looks well worth the big-money fee as he looks set to become one of the best in the world in his position for many years to come, with Barcelona eyeing him up as the long-term successor to the legendary Xavi.
In total, £96m on these three world class players, aided by the sales of some unwanted members of the United squad, should put van Gaal’s side in a great position to re-establish themselves as one of the best teams in the country again next season.
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