It is no secret that Manchester United is preparing to go on a summer spending spree, after manager Louis van Gaal already spent £150 million last summer that could very well see on-loan Colombian striker Radamel Falcao sent back to Monaco and British record £59.7 million signing Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria sold to Paris Saint-Germain for a loss of around £10 million.
According to rumours United are interested in signing Gareth Bale from Real Madrid for £85 million, which we here at Soccer Transfer would be a mistake if you consider what £85 million would allow you to sign for the team next summer.
Below we have listed three players we think Louis van Gaal should sign for the Red Devils rather than the expensive Gareth Bale who is having a difficult second season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Memphis Depay
Netherlands international winger Memphis Depay currently plays in the Dutch Eredivisie for PSV Eindhoven where he leads the league in goals having scored 16 goals so far this season and would be available in the summer for around £15 million.
The 21-year-old was a part of van Gaal’s World Cup squad and sees the 63-year-old manager as not only a mentor, but a father figure making him the prefect candidate for a move to Old Trafford.
When asked about the 21-year-old Holland international, former United scout Ed van Stijn said: “You can’t judge Depay on his technique.
“With him you look at what he’s doing with that technique to utilise it as much as possible.
“For example, look how often he makes sure he finds himself in one-on-ones facing the goal. It all comes down to details.
“If you compare him to a young Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age, then Depay has more strings to his bow. I like him better.
“Ronaldo made many of the same mistakes at Manchester United as he did when he was 17.”
Raphael Varane
French international Raphael Varane is a favourite of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who will almost certainly try to bring the 21-year-old to Stamford Bridge during the summer after describing the defender along with Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma as the two best young defenders in the world.
When speaking about the French internationals with the Daily Express the Blues boss said: “I think the French Federation should write me a letter to thank me because I think they have now the best two young central defenders in the world.
“I’m not saying the best because there are young, there are obviously end products, mature players 24, 25, 28, 30-year’s-old.
“But as young defenders can you imagine what Varane and Zouma can represent in football in a couple of years.
“I think Didier [Deschamps] must be very happy with that.”
According to the website METRO United is prepared to pay Real Madrid £30 million for Varane after the 21-year-old struggles to get a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s team with both Sergio Ramos and Pepe above him in the pecking order.
Marquinhos
Another Chelsea target that Manchester United needs to get the jump on is 20-year-old Brazilian international centre-back Marquinhos, who Jose Mourinho sees as a replacement for the 34-year-old Blues captain John Terry.
United has been scouting Marquinhos for the best part of the season, and when hearing of Louis van Gaal’s interest the Brazilian defender said: “I’m calm, concentrated. I leave all this to my agent,” Marquinhos told L’Equipe.
“Before, PSG refused to begin negotiations. They have shut the door. I see this as something to take confidence from.
“It proves PSG count on me but, to be honest, it gives me pleasure to see Manchester United are interested in me. It’s validating.”
