Man Utd line up Strootman for 2015 as Cleverley joins exodus
Van Gaal's offloads another British player, but Dutch teenager takes Old Trafford medical
The transfer window may have officially closed but that hasn't stopped new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal plotting his next big move, as another British starlet heads for the Old Trafford exit.
Despite spending £150m over the summer in new signings Van Gaal will continue to rebuild United with The Guardian reporting that he "still wants to add a top-line central midfielder and central defender" come the New Year. Kevin Strootman is apparently the playmaker Van Gaal has in mind, but only if the Roma player recovers from a serious knee injury that has sidelined him since March. The Guardian says that 24-year-old Dutchman "is minded to make the move" but first United must meet Roma's £30m asking price.
As Danny Welbeck packs up his boxes and waits for the removal van for the move down to Arsenal, another Manchester United player is also on his way out of the club. Goal.com reports that midfielder Tom Cleverley has finally joined Aston Villa on loan "after the Premier League sanctioned the switch" despite it running past Monday night's deadline.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The 25-year-old playmaker, who has won 13 caps for England, moves to Villa Park on a season-long deal although Goal.com says it has it on good authority that "the deal involves a break clause in January" should both parties agree that the move hasn't worked out. Cleverley made 31 appearances for United last season but was one of several players, many of them British, released by Louis van Gaal since he arrived at the club in the summer.
Meanwhile, Tribalfootball says United "are yet to close a deal" for Ajax defender Timothy Fosu Mensah even though the 16 year-old Dutch youngster was at their Carrington training ground on Friday to undergo a medical. Apparently the deal has stalled because Ajax are "insisting on at least €300,000 in compensation" in return for Fosu Mensah. The uncertainty has aroused interest in Italy with Inter Milan monitoring the situation should the move fall through in the coming days.
Arsenal fans trying to make out what to think of the Gunners' deadline day efforts will be saddened to hear that they were snubbed by defensive target Matija Nastasic of Manchester City. The Daily Telegraph reports that "the Serb decided to stay at the Etihad Stadium even though he is unlikely to play much first-team football".
Finally, just like Van Gaal, QPR manager Harry Redknapp seems to be already suffering withdrawal symptoms now that the transfer window is closed and is trying to get through the difficult period ahead by dreaming of what January will bring.
Redknapp had hoped to sign former England striker Jermain Defoe from Toronto this summer but Talksport claims the switch to Loftus Road fell through when the Canadian MLS outfit "refused to let him leave immediately despite agreeing terms" with Rangers.
Nonetheless ‘Arry remains cautiously optimistic Defoe could be with the club in the New Year. "There is every chance he will come in January," he proclaimed. "I'm a big fan of Jermain's. Almost certainly, I think we will [go back in for him]. I've signed him so many times. I've taken him everywhere."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
UK gynaecological care crisis: why thousands of women are left in pain
The Explainer Waiting times have tripled over the past decade thanks to lack of prioritisation or funding for women's health
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'The Hum': the real-life noise behind The Listeners
In The Spotlight Can some of us also hear the disturbing sound that plagues characters in the hit TV show – and where is it coming from?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Are we any closer to identifying UFOs?
Podcast Plus, will deals with Tunisia and Kurdistan help Labour? And what next for the Wagner Group?
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published