The players the Dutchman wants to recruit in the centre of the park.
Having guided Netherlands to the last-16 of the 2014 World Cup with maximum points, Manchester United fans must be getting more excited about when Louis van Gaal takes over at Old Trafford.
It has already been confirmed that the Dutchman will be the new Red Devils manager, taking up hiss position officially after the tournament in Brazil.
With the club having finished with their lowest ever Premier League points tally and no European football for the first time since 1981 last season, plenty of changes are expected under the new regime.
One key area for recruitment is in central midfield and here are five players that van Gaal is targeting in the transfer market.
William Carvalho, Sporting Lisbon
This Portugal international was being watched by United back when David Moyes was in charge and the Scot sent several scouting trips to see the 22-year-old in action.
Carvalho has hardly showered himself in glory with his national team at the World Cup, but it’s understood the 13-time Premier League champions are still interested in securing his services.
Source: Sky Sports.
Ander Herrera, Athletic Bilbao
After targeting this Spaniard last summer it seems interest has been reignited once more and a deal believed to be around £28.8m is expected to be completed for the 24-year-old in the coming days.
Herrera has been impressing at the San Mames Stadium for some time and van Gaal views the Athletic star as the ideal man to shake up the United midfield.
Source: Telegraph.
Sami Khedira, Real Madrid
This is another player that the English club tried to sign last summer, with an offer submitted to Madrid for the Germany international which proved to be in vain.
A lot has changed since then though, with Khedira having spent much of the last 12 months sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury and with the 27-year-old about to enter the final year of his current contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, could be available for a much cheaper fee.
Source: Mirror.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern Munich
Having guided Bayern to plenty of success during his time in charge it was always likely van Gaal would be linked with players from his former club.
One of those is Schweinsteiger, who has spent his entire career with the Bundesliga champions and could well be open to the idea of a change.
Source: Independent.
Alex Song, FC Barcelona
Finally and it’s a current Barca player who has been left disillusioned at the Nou Camp and may look to follow captain Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes and new Chelsea signing Cesc Fabregas out of the door.
Song signed for the Catalans from Arsenal in 2012, but has since been on the periphery of the first team and could well welcome a move back to England.
Source: Daily Mail.
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