Manchester United transfer rumours: Raphael Varane wants £30m move

Manchester United are reportedly at the front of the queue to sign Real Madrid's talented young defender, Raphael Varane. The Daily Express reports the France international wants to move to United ahead of either Arsenal or Chelsea as he feels he will get in Louis van Gaal's team immediately.

A £30m transfer is being mooted.

The paper reports: "Chelsea and Arsenal are also extremely keen on bringing the youngster to the Premier League, but Varane is well aware that only United can offer him the first-team action he desires.

"United's first choice at the back is Mats Hummels, but with Borussia Dortmund refusing to sell, Van Gaal could indeed be set to splash the cash on Varane this summer."

OUR VIEW: Getting Varane would be a huge coup for United, even if they almost signed him in 2011 from Lens for considerably less. He will surely be one of the best defenders in the world in a couple of years and would be a fantastic addition to the squad.

Robert Lewandowski is being lined up as a possible replacement for the misfiring forward Radamel Falcao at Manchester United, who could be on his way to Real Madrid this summer.

United manager Louis van Gaal is apparently keen to bring the towering Bayern Munich and Poland striker to Old Trafford in a £30 million deal, according to a report in the Guardian.

Lewandowksi, now 26, scored twice against Paderborn in a 6-0 win on Saturday to take his tally to 12 for the season, but that is not enough to prevent rumours persisting that the former Borussia Dortmund forward will be sold if the price is right.

.@ManUtd want Robert Lewandowski as replacement for flop @FALCAOhttp://t.co/sA3qsLwpbFpic.twitter.com/jSgC5aLm2j— Barclays League (@BarclaysLeague) February 22, 2015

With Van Gaal set to be handed £150 million to spend on the next stage of his rebuilding work, Falcao looks to be on borrowed time at Old Trafford. The Colombian forward was an unused substitute in United's 2-1 defeat at Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday.

If LVG isn't going to use you when United are losing, some will wonder when he is going to use you.

A return of four goals from 14 starts is unlikely to tempt United to meet Monaco's asking price of £50 million for a figure who missed last summer's World Cup finals due to a serious knee injury.

Lewandowski sounds like better value for money, but he will cost a hefty fee having signed a five-year contract with Bayern last summer.

Bayern expert Sven Busch from our Munich office feels Lewandowski has a future at Bayern, and will be surprised if the Bundelisga champions will be prepared to sell the imposing forward. But he also points out that every player has a price.

"He is still finding his right role in the team," writes Sven. "As opposed to his time at Dortmund the Guardiola-system is not tailor-made for him. In general, Guardiola, prefers smaller players – especially in attack – and sometimes puts him on the wings where he is drawing two defenders away to make space for Arjen Robben or Frank Ribéry.

"Apparently the coach is very happy with him as Lewa fulfills his tactical role by scoring goals - 10 Bundesliga goals so far compared to his first year in Dortmund when he scored only eight - and creating space for others.

"Lewa still seems to be adapting to the fact that he is not playing all the time (like in Dortmund) – but he is not unhappy about it and neither is Guardiola. I would be very surprised if they are willing to sell him. Will they listen to an offer? Of course they would be stupid not to.

"A lot depends on the success in the Champions League and on whether or not Guardiola stays on. In big games, Lewandowski offers Bayern a second option. "

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has dismissed claims that there is tension in their relationship. Guardiola restored Robert Lewandowski to his attack after the 0-0 away draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

"I have five top forwards, I am very pleased with Robert," said Guardiola. "We have often talked and he knows my opinion on his performance and quality. I have no doubts about him."

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Former Bayern Munich striker Dieter Hoeness feels Bayern were right to sell Mario Mandzukic to Atletico Madrid. Mandzukic has scored 20 times in 32 games this season for Altetico. Lewandowski is on 13 from 30 in all competitions for the Bavarian giants.

"I believe that Lewandowski is better in Guardiola's system than Mandzukic," said Hoeness "However, I regret that Mandzukic is no longer playing in the Bundesliga. I think Lewandowski's breakthrough is imminent. He is still very, very important for Bayern."

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Former Bayern Munich midfielder Dietmar Hamann would like to see the player in the Premier League. He feels his style would be ideally suited to the Premier League.

"He came to Bayern Munich on a free last year but if there was an opportunity to get him out I'd break the bank for him because I think he's the best No. 9 in the world."

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Bad news, Manchester United fans: Paul Pogba won't be returning to Old Trafford in a blaze of glory this summer. That's according to the Manchester Evening News, who claim "United are reluctant to enter what will be a bidding war for a player expected to establish himself as the best midfielder in the world. Real Madrid are understood to be leading the chase for him, while Manchester City are also admirers, as they look ahead to life beyond Yaya Toure. Old Trafford sources claim United are determined to look to the future - consigning Pogba to their past."

United are instead focused on other players such as long-term target Kevin Strootman, who is a favourite of Louis van Gaal, and Borussia Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan who could be available for £20m at the end of the season. The MEN adds of Pogba: "Despite executive vice chairman Ed Woodward promising Van Gaal around £150m to further bolster his squad, it would be understandable if he were reticent to enter into negotiations with a player who rejected United’s offer of a long-term contract when signing for Juventus two and a half years ago."

OUR VIEW: If United have any chance of getting Pogba they must pursue it as far as they can. Quite simply, there is no more exciting young player in football. Who cares if he left a few years ago, smarting at his treatment from Fergie, Pogba is going to be the best midfielder in the world for the next 5-10 years.

Whether he would go to United or not is another question though: if Real Madrid go after him hard, then it's difficult to see him choosing to return to Old Trafford.

Yes, that's right: less than 24 hours after the close of the transfer window and the summer rumour mill has already started!

According to Goal.com: "Manchester United may not have made a big splash in the January transfer window but they have already started laying the groundwork for a bumper summer.

"The Insider has learned that the 20-time Premier League champions were in contact with Borussia Dortmund over the weekend to enquire about the availability of Marco Reus.

"The Germany International is set to leave Signal Iduna Park at the end of the season, with a buy-out clause set at just €25 million."

OUR VIEW: It's a bit soon for all this isn't it? Seriously though, Reus will surely be leaving this summer so the earlier clubs start putting in the groundwork the better. If United have any hope of beating Real Madrid to his signature, they need to use every trick in the book. It helps that Bayern Munich are reportedly not in the race...

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Darren Fletcher has left Manchester United after 12 years at Old Trafford, joining West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer.

Fletcher reported to United's team hotel in Manchester on deadline day, where the squad are staying ahead of their FA Cup replay against Cambridge, but he quickly left after the Baggies came calling.

The 31-year-old drove to the Midlands on Monday evening for a medical, and his move was confirmed shortly after midnight. Fletcher played 342 times for United, but his experience was not able to earn him a place in Louis van Gaal's starting XI this term.

Elsewhere United signed Andy Kellett on loan from Bolton, with Saidy Janko going in the other direction.

OUR VIEW: It is sad to see United's longest-serving player leave the club, just months after being appointed vie-captain. But, at 31, the Scottish midfielder could not afford to spend time on the sidelines and should be a useful component for Tony Pulis's West Brom.

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Wilfried Zaha signed a permanent deal, returning to Crystal Palace from Manchester United on a permanent deal worth as little as £3m. It represents a huge loss for United, who paid up to £15m for him when he became Sir Alex Ferguson's last signing in January 2013.

OUR VIEW: This makes sense for everyone. Whether his attitude was poor, he didn't get a chance or he was never really that good - or a mixture of all three - it just didn't work out for Zaha and a move back to the club where he made his name is eminently logical.

Mucking about after training this afternoon ⚽️ https://t.co/9AkKyzoQtW— Wilfried Zaha (@wilfriedzaha) February 2, 2015

On a quiet deadline day, talk persisted of Real Madrid's French youngster Raphael Varane moving to Old Trafford. The basis for this one is the Frenchman's apparent disgruntlement at being displaced by Pepe in the Madrid first XI. Varane is possibly the best young centre-back in the world and would go a long way to solving Louis van Gaal's defensive problems.

OUR VIEW: This was never going to happen. That bit about Varane being the best young centre-back in the world? Real Madrid know that too, and they certainly weren't going to let him leave in mid-season with no chance of replacing him. Pure fantasy.

Rubbish story of the night: Varane IS NOT going to Manchester United, before anybody gets too excited. #MUFC signing nobody today— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 2, 2015

Belgian right-back Marnick Vermijl has left Manchester United for Sheffield Wednesday in a permanent deal. The 23-year-old made just two appearances for United and spent last season on loan at NEC Breda in the Netherlands.

OUR VIEW: Vermijl has barely had a look-in at Old Trafford despite the likes of Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett getting first-team football, so it's no surprise to see him go. His second and final United appearance was in the 4-0 League Cup humiliation at the hands of MK Dons. United will wish him well, but Vermijl won't be missed.

Manchester United defender Marnick Vermijl on his move to Sheffield Wednesday: "It's definitely a big step upwards." #DeadlineDay— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 2, 2015

According to the BBC, United were almost left facing the embarrassing situation of having Tom Cleverley back at the club after trying to push Aston Villa into a sale.

#MUFC contacted #AVFC suggesting they may recall Tom Cleverley from season-long loan if option to buy now for £7m not taken #bbcdeadlineday— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) February 2, 2015

#AVFC declined, will consider summer free. #MUFC can't loan Cleverley again: players can't rep more than 2 clubs in 1 season #bbcdeadlineday— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) February 2, 2015

OUR VIEW: United tried to throw their weight around but it would have spectacularly backfired had Villa agreed. Cleverley would have returned to a club who didn't need him, taking up space in the squad and on the wage bill. It's best for all parties that he remains at Villa.

It's a story as old as time itself: Wesley Sneijder being linked with a move to Manchester United on transfer deadline day.

The bi-annual rumours are back on Monday morning with various sources reporting that a deal is a possibility for the Galatasaray and Netherlands playmaker. The Express carries a report, which appears to be the basis for much of the conjecture floating around.

The presence of Louis van Gaal could be crucial and Juventus have moved out of the way by going for Dortmund's Henrikh Mkhitaryan instead, apparently.

Oh dear god, not again. If we have learned anything from transfer deadlines days past, it's that Manchester United NEVER sign Wesley Sneijder, no matter how furious the speculation. This simply won't happen, will it?

Manchester United are set for a sensational deadline day double transfer swoop for Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels and Wolfsburg winger Kevin De Bruyne.

According to the Daily Express, “Van Gaal believes that De Bruyne would fit in perfectly with his 4-4-2 diamond formation, and is ready to make a whopping £30 million bid for his signature. Hummels also remains a priority for United, but Dortmund are reluctant to sell their captain as they prop up the German league following a 0-0 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.”

OUR VIEW: This double swoop seems fanciful at best. United’s need for a world class centre back has been well documented, as has their admiration for Hummels, who was also a target during David Moyes’ short-lived tenure. It’s highly unlikely Dortmund would let him go at this juncture. As for De Bruyne, this seems bizarre. Do United really need another winger, let alone spend £30 million on a player who flopped at Chelsea? The money could certainly be spent better elsewhere.