The Dutchman is going to be trusted with a huge kitty this summer.
It’s set to be a summer of change at Manchester United as they look to bounce back following their worst season in recent memory in 2013/14.
Under the guidance of now sacked manager David Moyes the Red Devils suffered their worst ever Premier League points tally and are without European football for the first time since 1981 next term.
After a brief interim spell for club legend Ryan Giggs, United chose to plump for experience when searching for Moyes’ successor and have appointed former Ajax, FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman is currently guiding the Netherlands national team – to great success – at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and will officially take charge at Old Trafford once the tournament is over.
Keen to put the bad memories of the last 12 months behind them the club owners have given van Gaal a hefty £193m transfer budget to spend on new players, reports German daily Bild, and here is how the 62-year-old is set to spend it.
Ander Herrera, Athletic Bilbao – £28.7m
It’s being widely reported that United are to complete their first deal of the summer with this Spanish midfielder, finally landing Herrera after failing to sign him last summer.
The 24-year-old is a box-to-box player who should help bring some creativity to a currently lacklustre midfield, but the transfer needs to be completed by July 1 or his release clause rockets up to £33m.
Source: Metro.
Luke Shaw, Southampton – £34m
The Red Devils have been in long-term pursuit of this 18-year-old as they look to find a replacement for veteran left-back Patrice Evra .
With Alexander Buttner having recently left the club for Dinamo Moscow securing Shaw has become even more prevalent, but the Saints are driving a hard bargain.
Source: Independent.
Sami Khedira, Real Madrid – £30m
With Herrera coming in as the more attacking option in midfield, van Gaal is keen to acquire a more defensively minded player to bring balance to the team.
With Khedira about to enter the final year of his current contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu the Spanish giants are willing to sell the 27-year-old in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 12 months time.
Source: Bild.
Eliaquim Mangala, FC Porto – £35m
With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both leaving the Theatre of Dreams this summer, central defence is also a priority area for recruitment for the new manager.
Mangala has been impressing with Porto over the past few years, but the Portuguese club aren’t willing to allow their prized asset on the cheap – even if the 23-year-old wants a move to the United.
Source: Guardian.
Bruno Martins Indi, Feyenoord – £6.5m
A cheaper option now and a defender who is very familiar to van Gaal having worked under the boss for the Dutch national team.
Martins Indi enjoyed a fine 2013/14 campaign in the Eredivisie and the Red Devils will face competition for his signature.
Source: Mirror.
Edinson Cavani, Paris Saint-Germain – £60m
Finally, it’s a deal that would certainly be a shock were it to go through, but with Cavani currently disillusioned at the Parc des Princes it is not wholly unrealistic.
The Uruguay international became PSG’s club record signing last summer upon completing a £52.7m switch from Napoli and has continued to show fine scoring form since then.
Source: Manchester Evening News.
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