7 transfer targets van Gaal can spend his £150m Man Utd war chest on
Incoming Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has reportedly been handed a transfer kitty of £150 million ($317m) to overhaul the Red Devils' squad.
Apart from filling some positions that have become a perennial problem in recent years, United have to strengthen considerably following the departures of key players like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Van Gaal, who will lead Holland at the World Cup before linking up with the English Premier League side, is reportedly casting an eye on a host of players to join him in Manchester.
Here are seven possible players he could spend all that money on:
1) LUKE SHAW (Southampton)
With Patrice Evra's future up in the air and deputy Alexander Buttner not entirely convincing, the Red Devils are in need of a new left-back.
Shaw has received rave reviews while playing for Southampton and has been called up to England's World Cup squad at the expense of Ashley Cole.
While media reports say that United have agreed a £27m fee with Saints, the staggering price tag could be a bargain if the 18-year-old lives up to his potential and gives the club many years of sterling service.
2) MATS HUMMELS (Borussia Dortmund)
With the departure of defensive rocks Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, van Gaal has a huge gap to fill in the heart of United's defence.
Classy centre-back Hummels, who has also attracted interest from Barcelona, could be the man to lead the Red Devils' rearguard if they can prise him away from Dortmund.
3) BRUNO MARTINS INDI (Feyenoord)
Van Gaal clearly has a lot of faith in young Martins Indi, who is one of the pillars of Holland's defence at just 22.
A blend between the ball-playing Ferdinand and tough-guy Vidic according to football stats site Squawka, it will surprise no one if the Dutch master takes his young protege to Old Trafford with him.
He's also pretty handy at scoring too.
4) KEVIN STROOTMAN (Roma)
Already dubbed the Dutch Roy Keane, Strootman could be exactly what United need since they parted ways with their legendary former captain.
A tough tackler who operates from box-to-box, the Dutch destroyer is well-known to van Gaal, who has had to change his tactics for the World Cup due to the enforcer's absence through injury.
5) TONI KROOS (Bayern Munich)
Kroos was already heavily linked with United last season after previous manager David Moyes was spotted at Bayern games on scouting missions.
A midfielder capable of dictating the game as a box-to-box player or as a playmaker, the 24-year-old is at odds with the Bavarian giants over a contract extension, which could work in United's favour.
6) MARCO REUS (Borussia Dortmund)
Another name that has been constantly mentioned as a potential United signing, Reus' ability on the wing could be very useful for United with the futures of Luis Nani, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young up in the air.
The exciting forward reportedly has a £30m release clause which becomes active in the summer. While it sounds like a huge sum of money, remember that United shelled out an eye-watering £27.5m for Belgian flop Marouane Fellaini.
7) THOMAS MUELLER (Bayern Munich)
Mueller shot to prominence when he was promoted to Bayern Munich's first team by van Gaal and he hasn't really looked back since.
While United's larder is well-stocked with strikers, van Gaal clearly values the German international enough to consider taking him along to Old Trafford.
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