Manchester United spent $34 million on highly touted Dutch midfielder Memphis Depay, acquiring him on May 7th. And although manager Louis van Gaal has assured the Old Trafford faithful that more players will follow this summer, nothing has happened since then.
Last year around this time, almost to the day (it was July 19th, 2014) Manchester United Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward made his famous “watch this space” comment to inform concerned supporters that more players were indeed on the way, despite the lack of signings at the current time.
He was indeed proven right. Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria were brought over in late August; Radamel Falcao was taken on loan in September on deadline day. Will history repeat itself this summer?
The season kicks off with a match between the 4th- and 5th-place finishers, respectively, in the Premier League last season. Tottenham Hotspur comes to Old Trafford on August 8th. That’s only a month away. Let’s see what Woodward, Van Gaal and company can do between now and then.
Could Happen Soon:
Supposedly, Manchester United are closing in on the signing of this right-sided defender. It’s rumored that discussions with Italian club Torino have now reached an advanced stage; with a the tabloids claiming a price of about £12 million. We covered Darmian in more detail yesterday here.
-Nicolas Otamendi
The Daily Express, as well as other publications, say that United will finally sign the Valencia defender. United have been reportedly targeting the 27-year-old centre-back for much of the summer.
Might Happen This Summer:
-Morgan Schneiderlin
Depending on what you read this might actually happen soon; if United are able to meet Southampton’s price. If that’s true, then it’s just up to the club to shell out the extra cash for him. It’s been rumored that Saints are looking to get £25 million; while United have supposedly offered £20 million. Obviously, if such a bid was made, it was rejected.
-Bastian Schweinsteiger
He’s supposed to have crunch talks about his future wit Bayern Munich on Saturday, and from there we might actually get closure either way on this one. Until then though, it’s all just speculation. Even more than the usual amount of speculation.
-Sergio Ramos
You’ve heard that he wants to come to United, but this situation is tricky, and it warrants a whole separate post, which we’ve just published now. Apparently, the first domino is about to fall here- Iker Casillas, after 25 years at Real Madrid, is about to leave for Porto.
That opens the door for David de Gea to head to the Bernabeu, and hence Ramos to Old Trafford.
Longshot at Best; Probably Not Happening:
-Gareth Bale
This rumor won’t go away, and if United are to buy a huge, expensive, brand name player, a “splash hire” if you will, it would be Bale. That doesn’t mean it will happen, but if it does the monetary amount wold easily smash the transfer record. The numbers in millions of £ being reported by the tabloids have been ridiculous.
-Harry Kane
Again, this one doesn’t seem to be going away even though it’s not that realistic. Yes, money talks, and yes United will indeed have to buy a striker at some point this summer (especially so if Robin Van Persie leaves), but I still don’t see why Kane would all of a sudden develop a strong impulse to leave White Hart Lane. More on this specific Manchester United transfer rumor at this link.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous sports talk radio stations all across the country.
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