According to Mirror Football, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has absolutely no chance of bringing one of his favoured Netherlands internationals, Arjen Robben, to Old Trafford.The Bayern Munich star was on United’s radar during the summer, but has once again dismissed the notionÂof hooking up withÂthe Manchester United bossÂany time soon.”[Bayern]Âis the perfect club with the perfect manager for me,” the potent winger has recently revealed. “My family is happy, we have lived here for five years and I am exactly at the place I want to be. It cannot be better than it is at the moment, so you don’t need to have thoughts about other clubs and other leagues.”If you see me again in three years in the Premier League, then who knows, but at the moment, there is not even one per cent of me thinking about going to England or anywhere.â€Back to the drawing board for van Gaal then, but United’s squad would certainly be improved by a pacey, counter-attacking goal-threat from out wide. Perhaps it’s time to consider some like-minded alternatives, and being the forward-thinking bunch we are at Football FanCast, we’ve already come up with FIVE.
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MEMPHIS DEPAY
If you can’t get Arjen Robben, why not stage a bid for the next winger set to dominate the Netherlands’ flanks for the many years to come? Namely, PSV Eindhoven star Memphis Depay.
Louis van Gaal knows the 20 year-old well, having utilised him to great effect in a cameo role during Oranje’s play-off-reaching World Cup campaign.
That saw him bag two goals and one assist in four appearances – including this goal against Australia:
//www.youtube.com/embed/CKv5HqtCD0w?rel=0
He’s started the current campaign in even stronger form, as shown below, amassing six goals in six appearances across all competitions:
Often referred to as “the Dutch Cristiano Ronaldo” for their shared dead-ball technique, joining Manchester United under van Gaal’s leadership seems like the next logical step in the 20 year-old’s career. Here’s another look at him in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/MiRW90BBv_o?rel=0
But having committed himself to four more years at PSV after penning new terms at the end of the summer window, the Red Devils will have to wait until next summer at the earliest to sign Depay, and likely pay considerably more than originally expected.
JUAN CUADRADO
Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado, strongly linked with a Manchester United move during the summer…
…is on the verge of weaving a £27million release clause into his new contract – a figure that’s not only well within United’s financial reach, but furthermore represents fantastic value for money.
The 26 year-old, famed for his endless stamina and incredible top speed, wreaked havoc in the Italian top flight last season and brought his form to the World Cup:
In fact, nobody bettered the Colombian international’s four assists at Brazil 2014, including this athletic knock-down to eventual Golden Ball winner, James Rodriguez:
Combining pace, athleticism, trickery and netting prowess, this goal typifies the South American’s style of play: //www.youtube.com/embed/DUlRxcSaxZo Cuadrado’s pace and mobility could make all the difference to a United side lacking in both, but recent reports claim Chelsea are the leading contenders for his signature:
MARCO REUS
It seems the European elite are waiting until next summer to try and sign Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus, when his ridiculously cheap £20million release clause comes into effect.
But unquestionably one of the most exciting attacking talents in world football, Manchester United would be wise to try and beat the pack by tempting the Black-Yellows with a slightly more lucrative offer in January – especially with their title bid seemingly already over after picking up just seven points from their first eight games.
Indeed, the German international ripped the Bundesliga apart last season, as shown below, earning him the division’s Player of the Year award for the second time in three years:
The 25 year-old can operate anywhere across the front or as a No.10, capable of playing the roles of scorer or provider. His technical qualities are second to none, but they’re underpinned by electric pace that would add a whole new dimension to United’s attack. Here’s a look at Reus in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/rlYrndbblKk?rel=0
Reus is currently enjoying a habitually strong form, as detailed below:
But launching a bid in January could well open Pandora’s box – even Bayern Munich look set to make an offer for the Dortmund talisman:
JOSE CALLEJON
A self-professed favourite of Jose Mourinho from their time together at Real Madrid, €10million signing Jose Callejon has proved to be an absolute gem for Napoli since leaving the Bernabeu in summer 2013.
Indeed, the Spaniard’s creative influence has been monumental for the Serie A side over the last two seasons, as detailed below:
And the 27 year-old’s six-in-seven return this year includes this stunning finish against Inter Milan:
Here’s a more extensive look at Callejon in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/PHUYFnFYqIc?rel=0
Most appealingly, reports in Italy claim the goal-scoring winger wants to leave Napoli after their failure to qualify for the Champions League and troubled start in Serie A. The Express allege they could sell for as little as £16million, but moot Arsenal as his likeliest suitors:
Even if the rumours prove to be false, Callejon’s contract includes a £23.5million release clause.
YEVHEN KONOPLYANKA
By no means a likeminded winger to Arjen Robben, Ukrainian international Yevhen Konoplyanka is a more traditional wide-man of the touchline-hugging, whip-it-in mould.
Manchester United fans will know the 25 year-old well – he’s been linked with an Old Trafford switch on numerous occasions in the past, including during the summer window:
You might also remember him for this stunning goal against England back in 2012:
//www.youtube.com/embed/GB0wDwgI39c?rel=0
Indeed, Konoplyanka is considered to be one of the most sought-after players outside of Europe’s major leagues, with his list of suitors including Spurs, West Ham and Liverpool to name a few:
He currently plies his trade with Dnipro, boasting a return of 39 goals in 180 appearances for the Ukrainian side, including two in ten this season. But with the Ukrainian’s contract coming to an end in summer 2015, a January move to a major club is becoming increasingly likely.
A £5million fee has been mooted by Mirror Football. Here’s another look at Konoplyanka in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/zBSGaakkUsc?rel=0
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