27 Mar 2015 08:42:07
Ed with us looking increasingly likely to nail a Champions League spot is there any new developments with potential incomings or is your update from a few weeks back the most recent info you are aware of?
{Ed002's Note - Much of this will change by the summer and there are major dependencies on (a) players leaving (b) if there is a change of manager, and (c) Champions League qualification. However, there is known to be (or have recently been) some level of interest in the following players:
GK: If De Gea goes perhaps Krul or Handanovic will be added. Romero was looked at but as an alternative to Valdes, so unlikely.
RB: Coleman would be expensive and remains "not for sale". Perhaps Clyne would be a better option. Alves is negotiating with PSG. Danilo of Porto has been looked at but is heading elsewhere. Darmain was looked at but there is no interest right now.
CB: It seems likely that Manchester United are looking for two centre backs. Mats Hummels remains the primary target, if available. The summer is certainly realistic, particularly given the Champions League situation and Dortmund are looking at a possible replacement. Godin may well alo be a serious target for the summer. Garay could certainly be an option for the summer - he will be leaving Zenit. Alternatively, Howedes if available but I doubt a first choice. Virgil van Dijk has been looked at but there is interest from elsewhere and I cannot see him sitting on the bench. Miranda - only makes sense at a much, much lower fee. Terence Kongolo remains of interest to both Manchester clubs and Southampton. Tyrone Mings has been looked at but remains one for the future and with Rojo and Shaw at the club seems an unlkikely choice. Otamendi was of interest to Barcelona, Zenit, Chelsea, Napoli, Manchester City and CSKA before a move to Valencia in January 2014 and a subsequent loan to Atlético Mineiro. As Otamendi has only effectively been playing in Spain since August 2014 a move in January was unlikely - but he was of interest. There has been interest in Dragovic but if he forces a move from Dinamo Kiev I suspect he will end up elsewhere. Marquinhos won't happen as he has signed a new contract.
DM: Vidal is due to be sold in the summer and I suspect there is still interest. Nainggolan might, if his complex ownership can be completely resolved, be an option (and the ownership issues are far clearer than they were). Strootman has been injured for a while and whilst he remains a target there may be too much of a risk with his injury issues to make a move for him. Carvalho remains a player that both Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in and his situation remains the same. He is for sale, but the asking price would need to come down to make any move possible. De Jong may be considered as an alternative.
M: Gundogan can almost certainly removed from the list of players moving to Manchester United this year but the club has shown interest. Pogba will be outrageously expensive and there is strong interest from elsewhere. Pjanic was a Moyes target and I suspect interest has gone. Transfer fee and wages are very high. Khedira has been of interest but a move seems unlikely. Matuidi is a player the club has considered but he has no interest in leaving PSG. Interest in Viktor Fischer will have gone completely.
W/AM: Whilst Depay is not seen to be ready for the EPL at this time, by someone very respected within the game, I suspect Manchester United will be able to complete the signing in the summer. Douglas Costa has been of sustained interest to Manchester United but I suspect he is heading elsewhere. A tentative enquiry was made Wolfsburg's Kevin de Bruyne but it I think it very unlikely that a move will be possible this summer. Pedro will leave Barcelona this summer as they start raising funds for rebuilding from January 2016 - it is not out of the question that the club could rekindle previous interest, but I think a move is unlikely. The club has now been approached about Arda Turan and there may be interest.}
FW: Santos' Gabriel Barbosa continues to be of interest to Chelsea, Fiorentina and Manchester United. However, much is expected of him and there is an agreement between Santos and Barcelona that will be exercised in 2016 if he does not move beforehand - if he does I don't think it will be to Manchester. Do not be surprised by a bid for Benzema. Cavani is being offered around the clubs who have previously shown an interest. Surprisingly, rumours of Manchester United and Manchester City interest in Danny Ings are true. Kenedy remains of interest and if a deal can be done he would likely go on loan. Interest in Bakkali has gone completely. Mandzukic will be sold this summer as Atletico look to fund a bid for Cavani. Manchester City see Mandzukic as a replacement for Dzeko and it is a solution that suits all. "Apparently" (an agent's "apparently"), Manchester United and Arsenal remain interested. Maybe not.}
27 Mar 2015 09:44:10
Just wanted to say thank you for that update. Love to read them :)
27 Mar 2015 09:06:32
Thanks ED. Is it confirmed that Gundogan has signed a new contract?
{Ed002's Note - Gundogan was refusing to agree a new deal and Dortmund were willing to let him leave as he was seen as a shadow of his former (pre-injury) self. A couple of clubs were interested, including Manchester United, but a recent approach about his availability was responded to that a three year extension has been agreed between the club and player and details are being finalised.}