Which of these would be the best fit at Old Trafford?
Manchester United are known to be chasing a number of top class midfielders this January, with Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal eager to improve what has long been a problem position for the club.
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United are still arguably struggling to replace the creative influence of Paul Scholes in the middle of the park, with the former England international retiring from the game at the end of the 2012/13 season and leaving something of a hole in that area.
Still, some work has already been done to bring in quality signings in midfield, with the likes of Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Angel Di Maria joining the club this summer and being among the players used by van Gaal in that department.
However, transfer speculation won’t go away, with these eight players among United’s main targets for January. Read on as we rank their suitability from worst to best…
8) Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan)
A decent box-to-box player currently with Inter Milan, Fredy Guarin is just some way off being the required quality for a club with United’s ambitions, though he could make a useful squad player for a reasonable price.
7) Yohan Cabaye (Paris Saint-Germain)
Formerly of Newcastle United, Yohan Cabaye could leave Paris Saint-Germain for a return to the Premier League this January, with United among the clubs interested. The classy Frenchman is undoubtedly a top player, but he has struggled in Ligue 1 and has not been playing regularly for much of the last year.
6) William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)
Listed as one of many clubs chasing Sporting Lisbon starlet William Carvalho, Manchester United could do well to snap up this highly-rated young midfielder, who looks a great all-rounder. Still, it is hard to know how he will cope by moving to a far more competitive league, and he’d be expensive at £37m.
5) Kevin Strootman (AS Roma)
Linked with a staggering £75m move to Manchester United, AS Roma star Kevin Strootman is certainly a top player, but still one recovering from a long injury and surely far too expensive at that price, despite supposedly being a favourite of Louis van Gaal’s.
4) Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
A world class player, Juventus’ Arturo Vidal has long been touted as one of Manchester United’s top targets in midfield. The Chilean would no doubt make a superb purchase for the Red Devils, though he is perhaps not absolutely ideal given his recent injury and fitness problems.
3) Paul Pogba (Juventus)
A signing that may not happen until next summer, it is claimed that Manchester United want to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus in a £60m deal. The French youngster has certainly developed into a top player since leaving Old Trafford earlier in his career, and is undoubtedly one of the best players the Red Devils could hope for in the middle of the park.
2) Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
Manchester United are mentioned as leading contenders to sign Real Madrid contract rebel Sami Khedira this January. The German international would likely move on a cut-price deal and would certainly be the best player on the market considering his price, with plenty to offer both defensively and offensively in midfield.
1) Koke (Atletico Madrid)
A player who might be out of United’s financial reach at £48m, but Atletico Madrid playmaker Koke is perhaps the most promising midfield playmaker in the world at the moment. The Spaniard has been superb for Diego Simeone’s side, helping them to the title and Champions League final last season. His vision and ability on the ball make him the ideal replacement for Paul Scholes, though Chelsea and Manchester City are also chasing him.