Madrid Chief: Arsenal Target Was Among 4 Players Man Utd Tried To Sign This Summer

With the summer transfer window now closed for business, it’s time to start looking at those deals that failed to get over the line and those which are being lined-up for the future. Today, Man Utd were keen on four Real Madrid players this summer….

Florentino Perez claims that Arsenal target Karim Benzema was one of four players Manchester United wanted to sign from Real Madrid this summer, according to the Mirror.

Louis van Gaal was extremely busy in the transfer market during the summer transfer window with the Dutch boss splashing out big money to bring in six new signings including the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay and most recently Anthony Martial.

Despite the influx of new faces, some fans were left a little disappointed that United failed to bring in an established centre-back and top class striker to compete with Wayne Rooney before the window slammed shut last week.

However, it appears van Gaal was keen to fill those positions and had some ambitious targets in mind as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims the Red Devils were interested in four of their key men.

On United’s supposed hit-list was Karim Benzema, who was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal throughout the summer with talkSPORT reporting last month that the Gunners were close to securing a deal for the 27-year-old.

A move failed to materialise in the end but it seems the North Londoners would have faced some stiff competition from United had Real agreed to sell the prolific French international striker.

United were also strongly linked with a move for Sergio Ramos this summer but Perez claims that the Spanish centre-back was never close to moving to Old Trafford before signing a new long-term contract, while the Madrid supremo also suggests that van Gaal was keen on signing Raphael Varane and Gareth Bale.

“We know that United showed interest in Bale, Benzema and Varane,” Perez is quoted as saying by the Mirror

“I never saw Ramos leaving this club,”

“He was never close to doing so. Manchester United meddled in the situation.

“Those who want to do harm to Real Madrid meddle but nothing really happened, nothing more than happens every summer.”

If Perez’s claims are accurate, then van Gaal certainly had some ambitious plans in the transfer market. Martial and Depay are exciting young players but the likes of Bale and Benzema are on another level so I’m sure United fans are disappointed they weren’t able to secure deals for the Madrid duo.

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I personally think United will continue to monitor Bale’s situation and if he endures another mixed season at the Bernabeu then I wouldn’t be surprised if they made another attempt to lure him back to the Premier League next summer.