According to The Telegraph, these are the top five Manchester United summer transfer window targets. Not this upcoming window, but the next one. Here’s Louis van Gaal’s summer shopping list (click on the name where highlighted for more on each player:
There’s a lot, and I mean a lot, of overlap with the six winter transfer window targets listed by the Daily Mirror
No surprise here, Van Gaal’s countryman has been linked with Old Trafford for a long time. From all that’s been whispered this one is supposedly almost a done deal already. Strootman himself has confirmed that he was to come to Manchester United.
2. Diego Godin
For what it’s worth, the manager of the player’s current team laughed this one off and tried to rubbish this rumor: ‘Godin for €20m? It must be a mistake!’ – Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone. Of course, that could just be posturing for the cameras in order to drive the price up.
3. Mats Hummels
We’ve heard this one a lot, and yet nothing happens. Still money talks, and if Van Gaal is truly being handed a £150 million war chest to emulate Real Madrid’s “Galacticos” strategy, making Manchester United the”Van Galacticos,” then anything can happen. Maybe this one is just a matter of time and we need to be patient.
4. Nathaniel Clyne
United sent two scouts to Villa Park on Monday to monitor Clyne, 23, after his impressive display against Scotland nine days ago
5. Arjen Robben
Hasn’t this rumor been dismissed? I thought it was settled this summer that Robben wasn’t moving. Maybe he’ll have a change of heart. He truly believes that the Van Gaal revolution is underway.
Also, The Guardian and Daily Mail report that the following Manchester United players are likely out the door at Old Trafford: Anders Lindegaard, Anderson, Nani, Javier Hernandez, Tom Cleverly, Nick Powell, Wilfried Zaha, Reece James and Michael Keane.
Also, The Telegraphs claims that David de Gea and Michael Carrick are set to be offered new contracts. Radamel Falcao’s loan move to Manchester United being made permanent remains a big question mark at this time.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2