Check out these eight signings that Manchester United could make in January, Arsenal target included…
It’s no secret that Manchester United are in a crisis at the moment, and something needs to be done quickly if they are to have any hope of rescuing their season. Louis van Gaal claims that, “in January it’s very difficult to buy players who are good enough for the quality of Manchester United”, but with the club in such disarray at the moment there are a number of players who would surely improve on what the Dutchman is currently working with.
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Here are eight January signings Manchester United could and should make:
8) Aymeric Laporte – Athletic Bilbao
Source: The Mirror
Ed Woodward recently claimed that Manchester United wouldn’t be entering the market for short-term fixes in January, so a player like Laporte seems likely.
The 20-year-old already looks set for an extremely bright future, and United could find themselves locking down a future defensive legend. Bilbao seem to be expecting the player to leave, and if Louis van Gaal meets his £32m buyout clause then he surely wouldn’t turn down a move to Old Trafford.
7) Enzo Perez – Benfica
Source: The Express
Although the defence is a far bigger priority, Louis van Gaal still seems to have his eye on a number of dominant midfielders.
28-year-old Perez has been linked with a £23m move to Old trafford in January, after Benfica revealed they were expecting him to leave in January and are already on the hunt for a replacement.
6) Nathaniel Clyne – Southampton
Source: The Metro
Manchester United were heavily linked with Clyne back in 2012, with Sir Alex Ferguson attempting to lure the youngster to Old Trafford from Crystal Palace. The move never materialised however, and he ended up moving to Southampton.
The newly capped England international has come on leaps and bounds since then, and has been tipped for a move in January. With Antonio Valencia not a natural right-back, Louis van Gaal needs back-up, or even a replacement, for Rafael.
Liverpool are also thought to be interested in the player, and Southampton are looking to tie him down to a long term contract; so van Gaal needs to move fast.
5) Sami Khedira – Real Madrid
Source: The Express
Sami Khedira has been linked with a host of clubs after stalling with a new contract at Real Madrid. The World Cup winner is out of contract this summer, and at times looked certain to make the switch to the Premier League.
His wages have been a stumbling block, but Manchester United have shown before that they aren’t afraid to offer massive wage deals if they feel the player is worth it.
Arsenal have been looking like the front runners to secure his signature, but could United blast them out of the water with their wage offer?
4) Kevin Strootman – Roma
Souce: Talk Sport
A number of sources are going so far as to claim that Strootman to Manchester United is already a done deal.
The Dutch international has been a long term target for the club, and with Louis van Gaal also a fan of the player a deal seemed more likely than ever once he joined.
Injury prevented a move over the summer, but with Daley Blind out for several months United could now try once again to bring Strootman to Old Trafford.
3) Ron Vlaar – Aston Villa
Source: The Mirror
The Dutch centre-back has been regularly linked with United since Louis van Gaal took over, with the pair enjoying a successful World Cup together in Brazil earlier in the year.
Vlaar is seen as he perfect player to fix some of the defensive problems the club are having right now, and Aston Villa may have no choice but to sell if United want the 29-year-old in January.
2) Memphis Depay – PSV Eindhoven
Source: The Express
Another long term target for Manchester United, and another player who could be tempted by his Dutch connections with Louis van Gaal.
There is plenty of competition from top European clubs, but Depay may favour a move to the Premier League.
He would add some much needed pace to what has become a rather slow moving Manchester United team in recent seasons.
1) Jan Vertonghen – Tottenham
Source: The Guardian
Jan Vertonghen has become disillusioned with life at White Hart Lane, with his Premier League opportunities bizarrely limited this season by new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Manchester United could easily snap up a world class defender, and capitalise on the players unhappy situation.