HomeFeatured ArticlesA Look at Manchester United's Transfer Targets

A Look at Manchester United’s Transfer Targets

Manchester United have managed to score only two goals in their first 3 EPL outings, so it would not be surprising if the Red Devils sign a new striker before the transfer window ends. After playing a goal-less match against Newcastle United on Saturday, the only goals in the league this season, so far, would be Kyle Walker’s own goal against Tottenham and Adnan Januzaj’s deflected strike to beat Aston Villa.

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They play Swansea City this Sunday, and they would probably be looking to get a goal or two in, by working on their attack.

Although Rooney has been restored to his striking position, without a goal in 10 league matches for the club, it is likely that the club would want to add more strength by signing on a world-class striker.The club did seem interested in Pedro, but the former Barcelona winger joined Chelsea instead last week. Louis Van Gaal, however, has stated that he is quite happy with the players he has at his disposal.

“I have a lot of options,” Van Gaal said after the draw with Newcastle, according to ESPN. “I have chosen [Javier] Chicharito [Hernández], because he is another type from Rooney, and Fellaini, who is another type, then I have Wilson and Januzaj, so I don’t think we need a striker.”

The Dutch coach did, however, hint that United could be propelled further ahead in the attacking department, if such a striker suddenly became available.

“If he is the best striker in the world then, yes, we need him, but if he cannot contribute in our eyes, then we won’t buy any striker. But when he does, we shall buy.”

Of late, Manchester United have been linked to several talented strikers. There have been a lot of rumours recently that suggest that United is looking out to sign Neymar.

According to The Guardian, United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward was in Barcelona last week not to try and finalise a deal for Pedro, as had been reported, but to pursue a move for the Catalans’ Brazilian forward. While it is stated that a United deal will be more probable next summer, the report also claims that Neymar is open to a transfer to Old Trafford.

If this goes ahead, it would undoubtedly end up being the most unexpected and surprising transfer of this season. Neymar scored 39 goals for Barcelona last season as part of the famous ‘MSN’ trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. And the 23-year-old was only signed from Brazil’s Santos in a rather expensive deal two years ago. That makes the chances of him leaving Barcelona this season, when Barcelona are still prevented from registering new players, highly unlikely.

It has been reported that Neymar is going to re-negotiate his contract with Barcelona. Realistically speaking, it wouldn’t be a shock if he and his agent use United’s interest as leverage, and that would appear a far more likely scenario than him actually being in any way close to a transfer.

The long anticipated Gareth Bale transfer is also lacking closure. Having tried to bring him to Old Trafford before he completed a record transfer to Real Madrid, United were linked with the former Tottenham forward throughout what was a difficult season for him at the Bernabeu last campaign.

Sky Sports has reported that United remain keen on him, although they have not yet made a formal approach. Again, though, there is nothing to suggest that United will get their man. Neither Bale nor Real Madrid have given any indication that they are yet willing to call it quits and Bale has been allocated a more prominent role in the team this season. Unsurprisingly, ESPN reports that the Spanish giants will not consider any offers for Bale this summer.

The last option finishing the trio of top strikers linked to Manchester United, is Thomas Müller. Talk of a possible 100 million euros (£74 million) offer from Old Trafford has been prevalent both in Germany and England, but Bayern Munich would obviously not want one of their biggest assets to leave, and is thereby far from encouraging for United. And, having already sold one of their iconic players to the Premier League club this summer in Bastian Schweinsteiger, they are unlikely to sell another. Sporting director –  Matthias Sammer –  has reiterated the message that neither Müller, nor anyone else, will be going anywhere.

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