Louis van Gaal’s Wish List

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is looking to add some new faces in every department of the squad according to some reports, and with a total of £150m in his hand, the former Netherlands boss is expected to upgrade his squad.

Raphael Varane, who is widely regarded as the best young centre back in the world, has been a top target for many clubs and there is no surprise that Louis van Gaal has turned his attention to the 22-year old Real Madrid centre back to strengthen his defence. With the Man United goalkeeper David de Gea all set to leave the club for Real Madrid, the United representatives enquired about the availability of Varane and recent reports have suggested that van Gaal is interested to land him in exchange of David de Gea.

But Spanish sports paper Marca claim United were told that Varane is not for sale by the Real Madrid representatives. As a result, van Gaal has turned his attention to the Argentine centre back Nicolas Otamendi, who has a release clause of £35m pounds with Valencia. According to reports, United are set to make a £10.2m bid for Monaco full-back Fabinho. Van Gaal is expected to sign a new right-back this summer after using Rafael sparingly last season with winger Antonio Valencia often filling in out of position.

Louis van Gaal has more things to worry about; he rejected an offer to sign Radamel Falcao permanently, and with van Persie uncertain about his future at the club, van Gaal will be under pressure to make a big signing for the striker’s position. Atletico Madrid’s Mario Mandzukic has been a top priority for van Gaal, but recent reports have suggested that the striker is likely to join Italian champions Juventus. As a result, van Gaal has made Everton striker Romelu Lukaku as their target, which has come as a shock for many United fans.

Louis van Gaal has shown interest in the veteran German holding midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who saw his importance decrease under Pep Guardiola last season. As a result, former Bayern Munich captain Lothar Matthaus thinks Bastian Schweinsteiger should seriously consider a move to United this summer. On the other hand, German and Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer advised Bastian to remain at the German club, saying that at 30, he might not be able to cope up with the rough style of play of the Premier League.

Louis van Gaal is also interested to bring the 25-year old French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who still has two years left in his contract. Southampton are demanding a whopping £24m for Schneiderlin, and the amount justifies the quality of the player. He has helped the Saints to qualify for Europa League after being in the Premier League for just two years after they gained promotion in 2012-13. The Mirror claims Old Trafford is Schneiderlin’s preferred destination although that could depend on the outcome of United’s pursuit of Schweinsteiger.

Louis van Gaal is surely expected to spend big this summer as he continues to rebuild a squad that is able to compete in both England and in Europe.