Louis Van Gaal could be given another £150m to further bolster his squad, according to some of today’s back pages. Van Gaal and Ed Woodward are due to meet on Friday to discuss the club strategy in the coming summer transfer window but the United manager could even try to add a signing this month.
According to the Daily Mirror, the man Van Gaal is desperate to add to his squad this month is Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels, who’s long been linked with a move to United. The Germany international stated last summer that he had no intention of leaving the Westfalenstadion but with Dortmund enduring a torrid season, he could well become the latest high profile figure to leave the Bundesliga club.
United’s path to sign Hummel, however, is all but clear, given the World Cup winner emerged as a target for Arsenal on Thursday and with both clubs desperate to sign a world class defender, Dortmund could well be able to command a fee in the excess of £40m.
The report, however, suggests that United wouldn’t be fazed by a hefty price-tag and could try to lure the 26-year-old to Old Trafford this month, as the club wants to ensure Van Gaal has the best possible platform to clinch a top-four finish, which United consider the minimum requirement for this season.
The biggest hurdle between them and a top four finish is a shaky defence, which is why a world class centre-back is at the top of Van Gaal’s priorities, particularly after Ron Vlaar, who would have been a useful stop-gap signing, has been ruled out for six weeks with an injury.
The United manager is also keen on Everton’s Seamus Coleman and Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne, as he seeks to bolster his options in that particular area, given that neither Rafael nor Antonio Valencia have been overly convincing this season. However, with Southampton third on the table and in contention for a Champions League spot, Clyne is unlikely to leave the Saints this January, while Coleman could be a slightly easier transfer to orchestrate.

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