Despite the excess of £150million spent by Louis van Gaal in recruiting new players over the summer, Manchester United still look like a work in progress and while they certainly possess a couple of world class players in their ranks – it remains to be seen whether the Red Devils are good enough to finish in the top four this season.
As a result, it is widely expected that United will once again splash the cash to further strengthen their side when the January transfer window reopens and the Premier League giants continue to be linked with a ridiculous number of players every day.
Van Gaal is looking to sign a host of new players in January
Now in another surprise link, Manchester United are planning a big money swoop for Schalke stars Julian Draxler and Benedikt Howedes according to reports emerging out of England.
It has been claimed that United boss van Gaal had sent his scouts on regular trips to Germany to monitor Draxler and Howedes and is now said to be preparing a multimillion double swoop to sign the star duo.
Both Draxler and Howedes are considered vital to the set up at Schalke but it has been revealed recently that the German side currently find themselves in a precarious financial position and could be open to cashing in on their star players if a sizeable offer comes along, in order to ease their predicament.
Draxler could be available for £25million
Draxler is a very talented young attacking midfielder who is considered probably the best young player to emerge out of Germany in recent times. It was widely believed that Arsenal were looking to activate Draxler’s whopping £37million release clause last season but a move did not come into fruition.
While Schalke will certainly be hoping to receive at least the stated release clause amount for Draxler, it is believed that United could be able to tempt the German side to part with their prized asset for a fee closer to £25million.
Howedes being targeted by van Gaal to strengthen the United backline
Central defender Benedikt Howedes is another player United are eyeing in their raid of Schalke. It is no secret that United’s problem position so far this season has been at centre back and it has now been revealed that van Gaal is hoping to lure Howedes to Old Trafford.
Howedes played a starring role in Germany’s World Cup triumph over the summer and it is believed that van Gaal has identified the 26-year old as a perfect candidate to strengthen his backline, with the Dutchman willing to splash as much as £20million to recruit his services.
While it remains to be seen if the ambitious double swoop does eventually come into fruition, the arrival of Draxler and Howedes can most certainly strengthen the United side.
