Van Gaal eyes three more major signings.New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal still has big plans for the rest of this summer’s transfer window, with three more big-name arrivals expected to follow Thursday’s confirmed signing of Ander Herrera, according to the Daily Mirror.
In a potential £71.4m deal, United have seemingly identified three more main targets to come in to Old Trafford this season, as the Red Devils look to invest heavily to improve the squad that struggled so badly under David Moyes in the 2013/14 season.
With a number of key areas of the United squad still in need of strengthening, it has emerged that two more attack-minded midfielders could be brought in, alongside the imminent arrival of a new left-back.
3) Luke Shaw (Southampton)
A signing which could be confirmed within the next few hours, Manchester United are closing in on a deal to bring one of the most talented young players in England to Old Trafford in a deal worth roughly £27m plus possible add-ons. Southampton starlet Luke Shaw, still only 18 years old, has just come back from a somewhat disappointing World Cup campaign with England, though he put in an assured display in his one appearance in the tournament in the 0-0 draw with Costa Rica. Now in line to become Louis van Gaal’s second signing for United, Shaw will make a great long-term replacement for veteran defender Patrice Evra and potentially be a key player for United for well over a decade.
2) Andre Ayew (Marseille)
Next up for United could be Marseille and Ghana winger Andre Ayew, who has caught van Gaal’s eye at this summer’s World Cup. The 24-year-old has been a reliable source of goals and assists for his club for the last few seasons, establishing himself as one of the best attacking midfield players in Ligue 1. With United in dire need of some improvement on the likes of Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, Ayew could be an ideal signing to come in and add some pace, directness and goal threat to this United side. Liverpool are also said to be interested, however, but it could be that United will look to trigger a release clause in Ayew’s contract and sign him for around £14.4m, which looks something of a bargain for such a proven talent just coming up to the peak of his game.
1) Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
A final £30m could be spent on another world class midfield signing to fill the huge void left by the recently-retired Paul Scholes. United tried to sign Arturo Vidal of Juventus and Chile for much of last summer, but failed to land him and several other targets of theirs. However, with the Red Devils finally tying up a deal for another long-time target in Ander Herrera, van Gaal could now complete a deal for Vidal as well, giving United the new-look midfield pairing they need. Currently on World Cup duty for Chile, the three-time Serie A winner would likely join after his side’s participation in the tournament in Brazil, and his arrival along with Shaw and Ayew would surely put the 2012/13 Premier League champions in with a shot of getting back to their best next season.
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