5 Bargain buys for Manchester United in January

2) Virgil van Dijk

The transfer saga involving Van Dijk has been a tedious affair. Van Dijk put in a transfer request which also could not change Southampton's will of keeping the centre-back at the club.

Van Dijk, at 6"4 in, has a towering presence and can intimidate forwards while being useful on the receiving end of set pieces. With the Dutchman unwilling to stay at Southampton and Liverpool being categorically ignored by the Saints this summer, it's set up perfectly for the Red Devils to swoop in and sign the centre-back.

Manchester United have looked wobbly at the back, especially without Eric Bailly, and van Dijk can be the ideal player for United's defence woes.

Liverpool is still said to be his number one choice but the arrival of Manchester City and Manchester United on the screen may make things interesting.

Price: £27 million