United hoping to bolster their back line in January.
Manchester United appear hell bent on strengthening their porous defence when the transfer window reopens in a month’s time, with the Mail reporting that six different options have been watched and considered by Louis van Gaal and his Old Trafford scouting team.
SEE MORE:
Mourinho financial fair play – Chelsea boss not happy
Puskas award finalists announced
Ballon d’Or shortlist cut down to three
A lack of form and fitness when it comes to the club’s senior defensive options have led to something of a crisis at the heart of van Gaal’s defence, with the likes of Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett promoted from the club’s academy system to fill gaps.
This will be something that van Gaal is keen to avoid in the future, with these six possible options under consideration ahead of January:
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
The Borussia Dortmund man is one of the most sought after players in Europe and could well be tempted to leave Signal Iduna Park after his side’s miserable Bundesliga campaign so far, but Jurgen Klopp’s side are unlikely to settle for anything below top dollar for the German international.
Fabian Schar (FC Basel)
FC Basel have a reputation for producing players for Europe’s bigger clubs and young Swiss international Fabian Schar is expected to be the next one off the production line – the report suggests that United have been keeping tabs on his progress at St. Jakob Park.
Aleksandar Dragovic (Dynamo Kiev)
Formerly of Basel, Austrian international centre back Aleksandar Dragovic is another player that the report suggests has been watched by United, with the impressive 23 year-old potentially ready to make the step up to a major league after impressing in Austria, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
A genuine contender for the most impressive defensive performer in European football over the last year, Atletico Madrid star Diego Godin is seemingly a top contender for United. Diego Simeone’s men are unlikely to accept any less than the Uruguayan’s £28 million release clause if he is to leave the La Liga holders, however.
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Also watched by United is young Real Madrid star Raphael Varane, with the Frenchman perhaps the most impressive young centre back in world football right now. It would take a lot to tempt Real into parting with a player who Jose Mourinho once dubbed as the best young defender on the planet, however.
Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
The final player on United’s shortlist is perhaps a more cost effective option, with experienced Dutch star Ron Vlaar out of contract at Aston Villa at the end of the season. He impressed under van Gaal for The Netherlands at the World Cup, but it is questionable whether Vlaar has the quality to step up to a top club.