It’s set to be a busy summer at Old Trafford, where Louis van Gaal will continue his Manchester United rebuilding job.
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It’s been a mixed maiden campaign for LvG in the Premier League.
For large portions of the season, the Dutchman hasn’t been much of an improvement on his predecessor David Moyes.
However, he has achieved his objective of Champions League qualification, and is reported to have a £150 million transfer kitty to spend in the summer transfer market according to the Express.
Naturally, the rumours have swirled and numerous star players are being linked to Old Trafford.
Of course, there will be some high-profile departures, but in this feature we look at the 15 incoming transfer rumours that excite us the most!
Ilkay Gundogan
The Mirror are just one source to have confirmed that Ilkay Gundogan is heading to Old Trafford this summer, with Manchester United having won the race for his signature.
The Borussia Dortmund man has had more than his fair share of injury concerns over the last few years, and it remains to be seen if he can perform consistently for a long stretch.
The departure of Jurgen Klopp from the Westfalenstadion may prompt an exodus from the club, with Gundogan, as well as Germany international Marco Reus, linked to the exit door.
Edinson Cavani
Edinson Cavani has reportedly handed in a transfer request at Paris Saint-Germain. The Uruguayan is believed to be looking for a move to a club which will play him in his favoured position as a centre-forward.
United are crying out for a player to lead the line following the failings of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie and should embrace the jaded star man who has scored 29 goals this season.
Christian Benteke
Another option to lead the line is muscular Aston Villa man Christian Benteke, via the Metro.
The forward may blow hot and cold, but when he is on song—and injury free—there are few Premier League strikers who can dominate defences in the same way as the Belgium international.
Since the beginning of April, the attacker has scored 12 goals—stats that may well tempt van Gaal.
Paul Pogba
While it would be galling for United to splash out a reported £71.5 million for a player they allowed to leave the club back in 2012, the club’s fans would surely be delighted to see such a world-class player back at the club.
The Guardian believe that the Red Devils are free to sign the 22-year-old, who is set to feature in this year’s Champions League final for Juventus.
Kevin Strootman
Supposedly, Kevin Strootman’s injury concerns have led to Louis van Gaal looking elsewhere for his summer targets, according to the Mirror.
However, the midfielder remains one of the coach’s favourite players, and with Roma looking to raise funds in order to avoid further sanctions from financial fair-play, might Strootman make a mutually-beneficial switch to Old Trafford?
Arturo Vidal
As well as Pogba, United are also believed to be looking at another Juventus midfielder—Arturo Vidal.
The Chilean is a magnificent, versatile operator, who possesses the dynamism to make an offensive contribution through the middle of the park and the discipline and the presence to be a major defensive influence.
The Guardian believe that van Gaal is monitoring the former Bayer Leverkusen man.
Mats Hummels
Elegant defender Mats Hummels is another player who is reportedly looking to leave Borussia Dortmund as part of the major exodus expected from the club this summer.
The Guardian have reported that the World Cup winner features prominently on van Gaal’s summer shopping list and would surely be an upgrade on Chris Smalling or Phil Jones.
Petr Cech
Once upon a time, Manchester United goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel turned out for Manchester City.
Pat Jennings, the legendary stopper, of course, swapped Tottenham Hotspur for Arsenal.
Might Chelsea icon Petr Cech swap Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford this summer?
The Czech legend is keen to move for first-team football, having been pushed out of the Chelsea starting XI by Thibaut Courtois.
Could Cech be a replacement for Real Madrid-bound David De Gea? The Manchester Evening News are just once source to have linked the Pensioners stopper to Manchester.
Carlos Bacca
The thought of another Colombian striker at Old Trafford may fill some Manchester United fans with dread, but the evidence of this season suggests that Carlos Bacca is a different prospect to Radamel Falcao.
The Mirror report that the Sevilla man is being lined up for a summer transfer, with his 20 La Liga goals this term piquing the interest of van Gaal.
Nathaniel Clyne
Manchester United are believed to be long-term admirers of Nathaniel Clyne, with the England right-back looking to complement the work of his former Southampton colleague on the left.
Antonio Valencia has done an admirable job at right-back, while Rafael has improved, but the Metro have reported that a £17 million fee has been confirmed for the Saints man.
Could his arrival be the final piece of the jigsaw in van Gaal’s remodelled defence?
Miralem Pjanic
With AS Roma under pressure to offload some of their high earners this summer, might Bosnian playmaker Miralem Pjanic become available.
The 27-year-old is an exquisite talent who, according to the Manchester Evening News, could ease the creative pressure on Michael Carrick.
Hugo Lloris
Tottenham Hotspur fans won’t be happy to read this, but Hugo Lloris remains—in many ways—the ideal replacement for David De Gea.
Unlike Iker Casillas and Samir Handanovic—other players rumoured to replace the Spanish goalkeeper—Lloris already has considerable Premier League experience.
Similarly, unlike Petr Cech and Victor Valdes, he is only 28, and still has his prime ahead of him.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Having already secured Memphis Depay, van Gaal is looking to bring another member of his 2014 Netherlands World Cup squad to Old Trafford.
Possibly joining Depay, and of course Daley Blind, in Manchester next season is Georginio Wijnaldum, a player who retains a great loyalty to the coach.
The Mirror believe that United will make an approach for the PSV Eindhoven captain following the climax of the season.
Radja Nainggolan
Since Roy Keane—or so the story goals—United have never truly had a commanding, gnashing central midfielder.
Of course, Michael Carrick dominates possession in the heart of the park in one sense, while Darren Fletcher was, for a time, a fine—if subtle—defensive midfielder.
However, there’s never been anyone with the tigerish tenacity of Keane.
That may be set to change this summer as Belgium international and AS Roma man Nainggolan has been heavily linked to Old Trafford, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale looks set to become either the great red herring of the summer transfer window, or a protagonist who could change the complexion of the Premier League next term.
If Manchester United get their man—either as part of the De Gea deal or not—then does the Welshman possess the talent to bring the title back to the North West?
They may not think so in Madrid, but in England, the 25-year-old retains many, many admirers.