Old Trafford side look to resolve defensive weaknesses by throwing money at the problem.
Man United spent £150m on new additions over the summer and despite a steadying of form of late it’s fair to say that Louis van Gaal’s side have not been hugely impressive and therefore it’s probably not all that surprising that the Dutchman is ready to make extensive January transfer window plans.
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The Daily Star appear to believe that the club’s back-line is in most need of repair with van Gaal eyeing up four top centre-backs who are said to be on the Dutch manager’s wish-list.
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
The 25 year old World Cup winner has seen his side taken a nosedive in recent season and this term’s form will surely lead to the former Bayern Munich man considering his options.
Borussia Dortmund sit in 15th place in Bundesliga having lost an unprecedented six of their first nine domestic league fixtures and it’s therefore no surprise that van Gaal would target Hummels who won’t come cheap but is undoubtedly one of the best in the business.
Winston Reid (West Ham)
The New Zealand international will be an all together cheaper option with the 26 year old into the final year of his West Ham contract.
No doubt Sam Allardyce would like to keep hold of Reid, who has been in excellent form this season, but should Man United come calling and put in an official bid you’d have to imagine the Upton Park man would be sorely tempted to make such a move.
Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)
20 year old centre-back is considered one of the hottest prospects in European football but the French Under 21 international will cost a hefty fee with a £32m price-tag set as his release clause.
Would be a long term option and perhaps not the immediate solution Louis van Gaal is looking for.
Ezequiel Garay (Zenit)
The former Benfica man has impressed since moving to Russia and may be tempted by the prospect of joining national team colleagues Angel di Maria and Marcos Rojo at Old Trafford but is there any reason Zenit would need to sell the Argentine? The cash-rich club only brought in the 28 year old only moved to the club in June so perhaps a move next summer is more likely than one in January.