Dutch + German Stars Among Key Targets As Van Gaal Gives United His Summer Hit-List

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Louis van Gaal has drawn up a list of Man Utd transfer targets.

Louis van Gaal may not have been officially named as Manchester United’s new manager just yet but it seems he’s already started preparing for life at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman is widely expected to be named as David Moyes permanent successor early next week and according to reports today, he’s already given United chief executive Ed Woodward an extensive list of players he’d like to sign this summer.

The Guardian claim that van Gaal has handed Woodward an A, B and C list of desired signings with Bayern Munich attackers Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller, and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, understood to be among his top targets.

Robben would be a major coup if the club could someone pull it off as he’s settled at Bayern and is playing some of the best football of his career. There have been no signs he’s pushing for a move and Pep Guardiola is likely to do all he can to hang on to him, so it’s going to be extremely difficult for United to prize him out of the Allianz Arena.

Muller’s situation is slightly more complex as he’s not always been regarded as a regular starter under Guardiola and recent reports have suggested  the 24-year-old could be open to a move to Old Trafford if van Gaal is appointed.

Whether United would be able to agree a deal with Munich is another question but it’s been suggested in the media it would take an offer in the region of £37m to land the German international, which would be a fair price in today’s market for a player of Muller’s obvious talent.

A commanding centre-back is almost certainly going to be needed this summer with both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand leaving and there are few better our there at present than Hummels. The 25-year-old has been a rock at the back for Dortmund in recent seasons so he’d be a superb addition if United could get a deal done.

The Guardian also claim that van Gaal has approved moves for long-term United targets Luke Shaw and Toni Kroos. Shaw has been strongly linked in recent days with widespread reports suggesting the deposed champions are closing in on a £27m deal for the Southampton youngster.

Kroos is less clear-cut as Bayern insist they will hang on to the midfielder despite him entering the final year of his contract next month, so United still have some work to do if they want to lure the German schemer to Manchester this summer.

It’s certainly gearing up to be an exciting summer at United which will come as a welcome relief after a disappointing season that’s ended with them not only finishing up trophy-less, but without any form of European football to look forward to next season.

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However, I’m sure signing the likes of Muller, Hummels and Shaw over the coming weeks would put a few more smiles on the faces of United fans.