After asserting that he would not spend big in January, Louis Van Gaal is set to spend even bigger in his second summer at Old Trafford with figures of £180m being touted for just four players.
Mike Phelan, former Assistant Manager of Manchester United, believes that £80m would be enough to prise Cristiano Ronaldo away from Real Madrid accounting for the bulk of a potential massive outlay.
Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidalcould cost the club around £40m and is a more realistic target as Massimo Allegri has told he will be sold if his performances do not improves.
Hummels could cost a similar amount – Borussia Dortmund are struggling this season and Hummels has already sparked rumours of a move away from the Bundesliga outfit. The club value him at £45m, but Van Gaal will have no qualms spending money on his underequipped back line.
The final player in Van Gaal’s sights is Schalke centre-back Howedes who is touted at costing a paltry £15m.
With this potential summer spending spree, it will be interesting to see whether Van Gaal strengthens at all in the January window.
Robert Middleton: @robmid4