David Moyes to bring four big names to Old Trafford this summer.
New Manchester United manager David Moyes is targeting four players in an £80million summer spending spree, according to reports.
The Scot has been given the unenviable job of replacing the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, after the long-serving boss announced his retirement towards the end of the season, and looks set to be given a big transfer budget by the United board to help him put his own stamp on the team in his first season in charge.
It is understood that Moyes will aim to spend the £80million on Marouane Fellaini, Karim Benzema, Nicolas Gaitan and Thomas Vermaelen.
Moyes has earned a great reputation from building a strong team from limited resources at Everton, and will be hoping to show he can also spend big money wisely at a bigger club with far greater expectation.
His main target is said to be a raid on old club Everton for Fellaini. The 25-year-old Belgian has just had his best season in an Everton shirt, scoring 12 goals and establishing himself as one of the stars of the Premier League with his dominant displays in midfield. United are certainly short in that department, with Paul Scholes retiring and Anderson likely to be sold, and Fellaini would provide a good complement to the playing style of Michael Carrick in the middle of the park, as he is a more physical and aggressive presence who can also get forward to good effect, which would help replace the goals and assists of Scholes. He has a £25million minimum release fee clause which may also attract bids from Arsenal and Chelsea, but it is understood that Fellaini would welcome the chance to continue to work with Moyes.
Nicolas Gaitan is also an essential signing as United’s weakness this season has certainly been on the wings. Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have all struggled to weigh in with goals and assists, and Gaitan has been a long-term target for United after an impressive few seasons with Benfica. The Portuguese side are expected to ask for around £28million for the Argentine.
Moyes is also preparing for the departure of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, two strikers who have been unhappy with their roles in the team this season, and will make a move for Karim Benzema as a replacement, who could be available from Real Madrid for £22million after a slightly disappointing campaign from the Frenchman. This could prove to be a bargain if the former Lyon star can recapture his best form, as he is capable of being one of the most lethal finishers in the world, as well as drifting wide to good effect and helping provide ammunition for Robin van Persie.
The final £5million could go on a surprise swoop for Thomas Vermaelen, with the Arsenal captain thought to be available this summer after falling out of favour at the Emirates Stadium. The Belgian has had a poor run of form since being made captain, and could be the second player in consecutive summers to move from Arsenal to Manchester United. At his best, he is a dominant centre-back who could improve United’s backline, which leaked goals on many occasions and conceded the highest number of goals in the top four this season, despite their title win. Nemanja Vidic has had numerous problems with injuries and the Arsenal man could help fill that gap at the back for Moyes.
The likes of Claudio Marchisio and Nemanja Matic have also been linked with the club, and could be backup options if Moyes misses out on his main targets. More players could also be brought in if the club can make a decent amount of money from the sales of the likes of Rooney, Hernandez, Anderson and Nani.
