Manchester United Rumors: Team Plans To Target Gareth Bale And Mats Hummels This Summer

Manchester United is rumored to be going after some big names this summer, with Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels reportedly in the team’s sights.

During the January transfer window the team brought on Salford City’s Sadiq El Fitouri and Bolton’s Andy Kellett along with adding Victor Valdes on a free transfer, but a report from the Manchester Evening News indicates that Louis van Gaal really has his sights set on this summer to make an even bigger splash.

As the report noted, van Gaal was careful to keep his budget intact to go after the big targets later this year:

Notably Van Gaal did not dip into his summer budget, which will be as much as £150m. And the departures of big-earners Anderson and Darren Fletcher, cleared the way for the high-profile targets on his wanted list.

United will move for Gareth Bale and Mats Hummels at the end of the season – and will monitor Kevin Strootman, following the Dutch midfielder’s latest injury setback.

Sources close to the team said van Gaal resisted big spending in January for what would likely be a quick fix, and is instead committed to rebuilding a team to compete with Chelsea and Manchester City for the league title.

Landing the big-name players could be a difficult task, especially Gareth Bale. Rumors of a transfer to Manchester United have circulated for weeks, but Bale insists he’s happy with Real Madrid.

“I can’t see myself at Manchester United,” Bale said. “I am enjoying myself and we are winning trophies. I want to continue doing this at Real Madrid.”

Manchester United already has a big season lined up for next year. The team has sealed a return to the UEFA Champions League, and will soon start a record-smashing endorsement deal that has Adidas playing the club $1.2 billion over the next 10 years.

Picking up Gareth Bale or Mats Hummels might not be the only big roster move for Manchester United. David De Gea, once rumored to be leaving for Real Madrid with just 17 months left on his contract at Old Trafford, confirmed this week that he intended to stay put with Manchester United.