As Louis van Gaal continues his strong World Cup campaign with the Netherlands, his new club side Manchester United continue their pursuit of world-class talent.
United have already completed the captures of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw but look sure to add to them before the window shuts.
Pre-season is now only weeks away, and United will be looking to complete their business as soon as they can.
Here is the latest news and gossip surrounding the Old Trafford club as they rebuild their squad.
Arturo Vidal
With United going a long way to solving their midfield woes with the transfer of Herrera, the club now look to bring in another top performer to help the Spaniard.
And at present, they do not come any better than Arturo Vidal, whom United will look to tempt away from Juventus.
Jamie Jackson of The Guardian writes that the club will chase the £40 million-rated Chile international and may use Nani as a makeweight in any deal.
Jackson explains that Nani has long been a target of Juventus and that the deal could interest them. He also says that Vidal's price would not stop Van Gaal sanctioning any deal as he looks to add to his squad options.
Vidal is one of the planet's elite performers, which he showed over the past few weeks for his country at the World Cup.
But Stuart Mathieson of The Manchester Evening News says that United have yet to make an official move for the player. He tweeted:
Understand no contact from United with Juventus over Arturo Vidal. That's not to say there won't ever be but nothing yet. #mufc
— Stuart Mathieson (@StuMathiesonMEN) July 6, 2014
Vidal has been sensational for Juve for some time now, so it is not surprising that his valuation has soared in the past 12 months.
It is well known that Van Gaal is a huge admirer of Roma's Kevin Strootman, but with the Dutch international recovering from injury, there is every chance that the new United coach will break the bank to get Vidal.
Thomas Vermaelen
Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen may take one step closer to a move to Manchester United in the coming days, with Belgium going home from Brazil after elimination from the World Cup.
David McDonnell of the Mirror writes that the North West giants hope to seal a £10 million switch to the club for the defender in order to help fill the holes left by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, who both departed at the end of this past season.
The 28-year-old has fallen out of favour in Arsene Wenger's first team and would surely relish the opportunity of joining Van Gaal's revolution at United.
However, Vermaelen recently dismissed talk of a move away from Arsenal, per Sky Sports:
I know there has been a lot of talk and a lot of rumours but the only thing I can say is that it's not true.Everybody understands my situation at Arsenal and that I have one year left.I understand that people are going to talk but I am here in Brazil and I am enjoying my time and I'm focused on what I am doing.
Vermaelen would be a solid signing for Van Gaal as he looks to restructure United's squad, but he is not the world-class talent the Red Devils fans will be looking for. He has experience of the Premier League but has suffered with continual injuries for an extended period.
But if Van Gaal can keep him fit he will be useful in a rotation with Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling, and at £10 million he would be relatively cheap compared to many touted possibilities.
William Carvalho
United have held further talks over the possibility of signing Portugal international William Carvalho.
Paul Handler of The Manchester Evening News says the Red Devils are looking to bring in the player but want to negotiate down the £37 million asking price from his club, Sporting Lisbon.
Carvalho has exploded on the scene in the past year, and his reputation has reached new levels in recent months.
As good as he may become, £37 million is a huge price for a defensive midfielder. But for that price, you are paying for potential. As United lost Paul Pogba, they know that they will have to pay top dollar to find the best young talent from across Europe.
Even though Pogba and Carvalho are very different players, if Carvalho improves at the rate that Pogba has in a two-year period he could develop into a stunning player who then falls out of United's price range.
A move for Carvalho now would be very wise, or his price might dwarf what is being asked for him at present.
Source: Bleacher Report
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