Manchester United's potential summer transfer targets

Manchester United had a decent last season as they finished second – just on goal difference – behind city rivals, Manchester City in the league, but were very disappointing in both European – both the Champions League and Europa League – and the domestic cup competitions.

This summer, United will look to strengthen their squad as they look to win back the Premier League title from their noisy neigbhours, and also try and win the Champions League for the first time since 2008. Sir Alex Ferguson has already strengthened his squad this summer by signing the Japanese international Shinji Kagawa, and the highly-rated youngster Nick Powell, but the Red Devils will have to bring in some more new names if they want to challenge for trophies on all fronts. Here are Manchester United’s potential transfer targets the summer..

Leighton Baines – Everton

The Everton left-back has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for some time now, and it’s highly likely that the England international will be a United player before the start of the season. Patrice Evra’s form dipped last term, and the Frenchman is not getting any younger. With Fabio away on loan at QPR, United need a new left-back, and the 27-year-old would be a great choice. Baines, who is very good at set-pieces, is valued around £15m and would be a quality replacement for Evra.

Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund

The German defender had an outstanding Euro in Poland/Ukraine this summer, and was one of the best performers for his country. The former Bayern Munich youth player has been one of the reasons for Dortmund’s success in the past couple of years, as they did the League and Cup double last year. The Turkish origin defender, who is rated around £30m, has stated he is very happy to stay at Dortmund, having signed a new contract recently. But he would be a great signing for the Red Devils, and with Rio Ferdinand past his best, he would be a great replacement for the veteran.

Alex Witsel – Benfica

Portuguese giants Benfica are ready to cash in on the Belgium international, just a year after they signed him from Standard Liege. The 23-year-old was instrumental in helping the Portuguese side make the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season. Manchester United are interested in signing the £20m rated midfielder as they look to add more depth and quality to their midfield. Chelsea are also interested in him, and a chance to play alongside his Belgium teammates, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, might just incline him towards Stamford Bridge.

Luka Modric – Tottenham Hotspur

Luka Modric is one name that has been on the Manchester United radar for some time now. With the playmaker ready to leave White Hart Lane this summer, in search of regular Champions League football, Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to bring the £36m rated Croatian international to Old Trafford. But according to the reports in various papers in Spain, Modric has already agreed a deal with the La Liga champions Real Madrid and is expected to sign for Jose Mourinho’s side before July 15.

Joao Moutinho – FC Porto

Moutinho has attracted a lot of interest from the Premier League this summer after putting in some impressive displays for Portugal at the Euros. The £25m rated midfielder has been a United target since his Sporting Lisbon days and is seen as an alternative for Luka Modric. Some reports claim that the Red Devils have already launched a bid for the Portuguese international, but they will have to battle with the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham to bring him to Old Trafford.

Kevin Strootman – PSV Eindhoven

Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be interested in the the Dutch midfielder who has been dubbed as the ‘new Roy Keane’ because of his combative style of football. With the future of Darren Fletcher uncertain, and with a number of injury prone players in the squad, Strootman could be the answer to all of Ferguson’s problems. The PSV star has attracted a lot of interest because of his impressive performances over the last couple of years, and was also a part of the Dutch squad in Poland/Ukraine. The £15m rated Dutchman, who can also play as a holding midfielder, would no doubt strengthen the United midfield.

James Rodriguez – FC Porto

The young Colombian is another player linked with a move to Old Trafford many times over the last couple of months. The 21-year-old had an impressive last season in the Portuguese league with FC Porto, and has attracted interest from a host of Premier League clubs. With the future of Nani doubtful, Rodriguez could be a great addition to squad, but it looks highly unlikely that United and Sir Alex Ferguson would be ready to pay around £30m for the midfielder who has been dubbed the ‘new Cristiano Ronaldo’.

Lucas Moura – Sao Paolo

Lucas Moura is one of the most talented youngsters, and one of the hottest properties in world football. The 19-year-old Brazilian has attracted interested from almost every top club in Europe, and Manchester United are said to be one of them. According to the latest gossip columns, United have sent a delegation to Brazil to convince the £35m rated Brazil international, who has already been capped 13 times by his country, and his family about a move to Old Trafford, where he will join fellow Brzilians Anderson, Rafael and Fabio.

Moussa Dembele – Fulham

Dembele has had a successful time, so far, at Craven Cottage since joining Fulham in 2010. The forward who scored 24 times for AZ Alkmaar, has adapted very well to a midfield role in the Fulham team, and was very impressive in the previous season. Dembele has just a year left on his contract, and is in no hurry to extend it because of interest from several big Premier League sides like United and Chelsea. Some papers reported that the Reds Devils had an offer for the Belgium international rejected by Fulham over the weekend.

Iker Muniain – Athletic Bilbao

Iker Muniain is another teenager who is on the Manchester United shopping list. The 19-year-old Spaniard caught Ferguson’s eye after he played an important role in knocking the Red Devils out of the Europa League last season. The versatile striker, who can play upfront, on the wings or just behind the striker in the mid-field, scored the winner in the first leg, and impressed in the second leg in Spain. The Bilbao forward, who made his international debut this year, is rated around £25m, and would no doubt be great signing for the team.

Robin Van Persie – Arsenal FC

Along with Juventus and Manchester City, United are also interested in signing Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie, who has said that he won’t be signing a new deal at the Emirates Stadium. Van Persie was in some outstanding goal-scoring form last season, and ended the league season as the Premier League’s top goal scorer with 30 goals. With Michael Owen having already left, and Dimitar Berbatov expected to leave, there is place for another striker in the squad, and Van Persie will be an outstanding option. The Rooney-Van Persie combination up front will be too deadly to deal with for any team. With just one year left on the 28-year-old’s contract, the Gunners are expected to cash in on the forward this summer, and an offer of around £16m-£20m may well be enough.

Robert Lewandowski – Borrusia Dortmund

The Poland international, who scored the opening goal of the UEFA EURO 2012, is another Dortmund player linked with a move to United this summer. Lewandowski has had an incredible past 12 months, and has scored 30 goals, including a hat-trick in the 5-2 win over Bayern Munich in the German Cup final. The striker has just two years left on his contract, and has attracted interest from many Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.