Louis van Gaal is plotting two swap offers in a bid to land his key defensive transfer targets this summer, recent speculation suggests. According to The Daily Express, Dutchman Van Gaal - who took over as Manchester Uniteds latest permanent manager earlier this month after guiding his native Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals in Brazil - is willing to offer Gunners target Nani in a part-exchange deal in an attempt to entice Arsenal into parting with captain Thomas Vermaelen. The same source further claims that Van Gaal is also keen to offer Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa back to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund in a bid to finally sign widely-coveted World Cup winning centre-back Mats Hummels. Vermalen for Nani? Manchester Uniteds defence is an area clearly need of immediate strengthening, with the respective departures of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra - three respected players who were influential at Old Trafford during Sir Alex Fergusons final years in charge of the club - leaving Van Gaal chronically lacking in quality and experience. Given that he is a seasoned campaigner at the top level and boasts versatility and obvious leadership qualities, it is certainly no surprise that Vermaelen features prominently on Van Gaals list of targets during the current transfer window. With the established partnership between Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny keeping him out of the regular first-team picture at the Emirates Stadium, it also stands to reason that £12 million-rated Belgian international Vermaelen may want to seek a new club in the coming weeks. Whether a Nani-plus cash offer will be enough to persuade Arsene Wenger into allowing the player to leave for one of Arsenals direct rivals remains to be seen. The club have been credited with an interest in the Portugal winger, however, so such an agreement could well be a possibility. Kagawa/Hummels Kagawas popularity and proven track record in German football could also presumably lead to Dortmund being receptive to a potential swap offer involving £20 million-rated Hummels. While Jurgen Klopp has demonstrated an admirably steely resolve with regards to the talented 25-year-old so far, he is also a known admirer of Kagawa and could feasibly deem the return of such a fan favourite as being a more attractive proposal than simply receiving a straight cash offer. Indeed, Kagawas immense struggle to cement a regular starting berth at Manchester United make it unlikely he would be too concerned about leaving the club, particularly if it resulted in him moving back to a place where he is still held in such high regard. Manchester United fans, what do you make of these proposed swap deals? Is Van Gaal right to employ this tactic and do you believe that either offer would be successful? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box provided below.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 05:00:51 +0000
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