Manchester United are steadily picking up pace in the transfer market as Louis van Gaal looks to return the Red Devils to the pinnacle of the English game.
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Matteo Darmian’s transfer from Torino was confirmed on Saturday [via the club’s official website], while Bastian Schweinsteiger looks set to follow the right-back to Old Trafford imminently [also ManUtd.com].
However, it looks unlikely that Louis van Gaal will stop there as he looks to remould United in his own image.
Here are five more players who may well make the move to Old Trafford in the coming weeks.
Christian Benteke
While van Gaal has brought Depay in from PSV Eindhoven, it remains to be seen whether the Dutch international could truly lead the line for the EPL heavyweights.
One player who could is Christian Benteke, with the Aston Villa striker having been linked with a move to Old Trafford via the Daily Star.
The Belgium international has confirmed that he will not be signing a new deal at Villa Park, but would United meet the player’s reported £32.5 m release clause [Sky Sports]?
Asier Illarramendi
The deep-lying midfielder fell out of favour under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, making only 10 league starts last season.
It remains to be seen whether Rafael Benitez sees a future for the former Spain U21 international at the Bernabeu, and van Gaal has previously been reported to hold an interest in the former Real Sociedad man [Daily Star].
He could prove to be an ideal long-term replacement to both Michael Carrick and Schweinsteiger.
Sergio Ramos
Centre-back Ramos has emerged as one of United’s key transfer targets during the summer months. The 29-year-old has reached a contract impasse with Real Madrid, and appears to be agitating for a move.
Van Gaal’s pursuit of Schweinsteiger has shown that the Dutch coach isn’t scared to spend big on experienced players, and he may see the World Cup winner as a key piece of his defensive jigsaw.
Nicolas Otamendi
Another option for van Gaal in defence may well be Nicolas Otamendi, with the Red Devils understood to be keen admirers of the centre-back [International Business Times].
However, while moves for Schweinsteiger and Darmian appear to have been concluded quickly, movement is slow on Otamendi’s potential transfer.
It remains to be seen whether van Gaal is prepared to meet Valencia’s £38 million asking price for the player [again IB Times].
Fernando Muslera
Should David De Gea completed his protracted move to Real Madrid this summer [Daily Mail], United may well need to find a replacement—particularly with Victor Valdes understood to be on his way to Turkey [ESPN].
They look like missing out on Asmir Begovic [Sky Sports], and while Hugo Lloris [Metro] and Jasper Cillessen [Goal] have been mooted, United have already made a £25 million bid for Fernando Muslera, according to the Daily Star.