Latest News: What do Real Madrid see in Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez that Louis Van Gaal does not? Van Gaal needs to be careful that he does not sweep away the gold with the dust. On transfer day deadline, however, reports are that Carlo Ancelotti wants the Mexican striker, who is also being pursued by Juventus. Loan with an option to buy is how this deal is likely to go down.
Early reports from the UK are there is likely to be as much activity in terms of players leaving Old Trafford today, as there is hope that some will still come in. All eyes are on Danny Welbeck, with Everton now reported to be in the running to sign the striker.
Manchester United will look to sign Arturo Vidal as the transfer clock winds down tomorrow. Italian newspaper Tuttosport reports that there is only a £5m difference between the offer given by United and what Juventus want.
Given the amount of money already spent and United's terrible start to the season, £5m seems a paltry amount.
A Blind Red Devil
As the countdown clock winds down, the news today is that Manchester United have agreed a fee to take Daley Blind to Old Trafford.
The club posted on their official Twitter account: BREAKING: #mufc has reached agreement with Ajax to sign Daley Blind, subject to a medical and personal terms.
Dutch newspapaers splashed the news across their pages reporting that Ajax has signed a deal with Man Utd, putting the transfer sum at 17.5 million euro, according to 'Volkskrant'.
The Dutch papers says the contract is for four years with the possibility of a one-year extension. Blind will not play for Ajax tomorrow against FC Gronigen.
The son of former Dutch international defender Danny Blind, Daley impressed at the World Cup and played a key role as Van Gaal's side took third place behind Germany and Argentina.
A product of the famed Ajax youth academy, he can play in a variety of positions, and is familiar with the 3-4-1-2 playing system that Van Gaal has introduced at Old Trafford.
That versatility is attractive to Van Gaal, who has seen his new side make a stumbling start to the season with a home loss to Swansea City and a draw at Sunderland in the league followed by a disastrous 4-0 League Cup loss to third-division Milton Keynes Dons.
The Mirror reports the deal is worth £14million. The 24-year-old, who plays for Ajax, is deperately needed by United boss Louis van Gaal and is set to agree personal terms over the weekend.
Marc Overmars director of football at Ajax speaking in Dutch daily 'De Telegraaf' had said: "Only if the absolute highest price is being paid a transfer would be ‘discussed’. Daley’s agents know how we feel about it right now.”
Carvalho, or....
Manchester United are looking at Sporting Lisbon’s central midfielder William Carvalho, should Arturo Vidal not be viable or possible. Daily Mail reports that the Portuguese club dropped their asking price to £23.8million.
The Telegraph has tweeted a report quoting The Star, that Manchester United are plotting a £20m bid for Liverpool's Joe Allen.
When read in conjunction with Italian Tuttosport's report that Juventus have rejected any approach from United for Arturo Vidal, this might make sense as the United midfield is more less non-existent.
This is no point having a strike force of Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie, if you cannot get the ball to them. However, is Joe Allen the answer?
All eyes then on Arturo Vidal from Juventus, dodgy knee et al.
The loss to MK Dons is going to sting far more than Van Gaal or the Old Trafford management realise. Maybe even Nigel de Jong coming might not be able to stem the rot.
However, all the buzz is about Vidal and both ESPN FC and The Independent write that United are now looking to make their move for the Chilean midfielder.
Perhaps Van Gaal’s comment to the media is not just funny a quip after all.
He was quoted as saying: “Cannot say anything about transfers and you have to understand that. When a transfer is finished, then we say anything. But now you have to wait and see. If the moment is there Manchester United shall announce it. But it is not only Di Maria. Maybe Vidal or (Lionel) Messi. We are a big club.”
Ask MK Dons? They may not be so sure.
Angel Di Maria
Manchester United have agreed a British record transfer fee of 59.7 million pounds ($99 million) to secure Angel di Maria from Real Madrid and are set to announce his transfer officially on Tuesday, British media reported.
The Argentina winger arrived in Manchester on Monday and would have a medical test later on Tuesday, British newspapers said.
The transfer fee outstrips the 50 million pounds English Premier League rivals Chelsea paid Liverpool for Spain striker Fernando Torres in 2011.
United declined comment.
Di Maria cost Real 20 million pounds from Benfica in 2010 and he was a key part of the team that won the club's 10th European Cup last term but he was omitted from the squad for the Spanish Super Cup last week.
The 26-year-old turned down a new deal at the Bernabeu and Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Sunday he had bade farewell to players and staff.
Di Maria's signing would provide a boost for Louis van Gaal-coached United, who have taken only one point from their opening two games of the Premier League season.