Reports in the Daily Mail on Friday revealed that Manchester United are preparing to splash the cash again next summer, with Mats Hummels, Paul Pogba, and Dani Alves being lined up as part of a £100m swoop.
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However, we believe that the Red Devils should be planning on doing things differently. Hummels has had an indifferent season at Borussia Dortmund, while Dani Alves is well past his peak. Pogba would be an excellent signing, but would likely be a very expensive one.
There is no doubt that United need to strengthen, particularly at the back, where goalkeeper David de Gea has rescued them on a number of occasions so far this season. However, they need quality in depth if they are to return to the dominance of a Sir Alex Ferguson Untied side.
Louis van Gaal has a lot of money at his disposal, as the press have been quick to tell us with every transfer rumour that comes and goes. So why should that money not be spread around. Here’s the five players we’d go for if we were the Dutchman, totalling just £102.9m…
Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton, £10.5m)
United are desperate for a new right back. The Mail links the Red Devils with both Dani Alves and Porto’s Brazilian international Danilo, but in our eyes Clyne appears to be by far the superior choice. There are no guarantees that Alves, at 31, still has the pace and stamina to cope with the Premier League, while at £30m Danilo looks somewhat overpriced. Clyne has been in fine form this season, and would be a great choice.
Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven, £13.2m)
United have been surprisingly short on creativity at times this season, despite signing the likes of Angel di Maria from Real Madrid last summer to boost their attacking flair. Depay would not be an instant starter at Old Trafford, but would certainly have plenty to offer in the long-term. The 21-year-old has scored 23 goals in all competitions so far this season, and would add some much needed natural width to United’s side.
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid, £22m)
Jonny Evans, Phil Jones, and Chris Smalling are all running out of time to prove themselves at Old Trafford. United appear to be near certainties to sign at least one new centre back in the summer transfer window, and the top target would likely be the Frenchman who Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has described as the best young defender on the planet. The European champion is still only 21, and has bags of potential.
Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao, £13.2m)
United could strengthen their defence yet further with the signing of this exceptional young Frenchman. The 20-year-old is a big name for the future, and likely to be Varane’s future international partner. The Bilbao star has been a key player for his team so far this season, but United have done business with the La Liga side in the past – having previously signed Ander Herrera – and will be confident of getting something done.
Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germian, £44m)
One of the deadliest strikers in Europe, and the ideal replacement for Radamel Falcao – should he leave the club this summer, rather than extend his current loan deal from AS Monaco. The Uruguayan has scored 40 goals in 71 games during his time in the French capital, and at 28 he’s at the peak of his powers. United will likely have to pay over the odds in order to sign him, but it could prove worth it to improve their attack.
