United Targets

With Manchester United manager David Moyes reportedly being given a multi-million pound transfer budget with which to turn around the Old Trafford giants' fortunes, who will be among their targets? From Koke to Reus and Baines to Costa, we pick some key names...

MARCO REUS

Age: 24
Nationality: Germany
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Attacking Midfield
Estimated Value: £40m
Alternative Targets: Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Everton Ribeiro (Cruzeiro), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid) & Juan Sanchez Mino (Boca Juniors)

"I have a contract with Borussia Dortmund and I am happy to be here." Not the most encouraging words to hear from a transfer target at the beginning of January but we all know anything is possible. Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus is rumoured to be top of David Moyes' list of players who could solve the problem of bringing creativity and goals to Manchester United's midfield. Capable of operating in an attacking midfield role or on the wings provides the German excellent versatility but reports have emerged that his contract release clause does not become active until the summer.

LEIGHTON BAINES

Age: 29
Nationality: England
Club: Everton
Position: Left-Back
Estimated Value: £20m
Alternative Targets: Luke Shaw (Southampton) & Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)

Leighton Baines was linked with a move from Everton to United even before Moyes himself made the switch. Moyes is almost certain to try to sign a left-back successor to the ageing Patrice Evra in January and United have also been linked with Southampton's Luke Shaw. Chelsea, though, are thought to be favourites for Shaw, which means Baines is a target for United. Despite this, there are questions regarding whether the England international would be value for money at a reported £20million for a 29-year-old who will have little resale potential. Likewise, Everton might not sell and so there have been reports of United agreeing a deal for Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao.

KOKE

Age: 21 (22 on 8th January)
Nationality: Spain
Club: Atletico Madrid
Position: Attacking Midfield
Estimated Value: £35m
Alternative Targets: Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Everton Ribeiro (Cruzeiro), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid) & Juan Sanchez Mino (Boca Juniors)

Described by many as the new Xavi, Atletico Madrid's Koke is alongside Reus as a player who is thought to be at the top of United's wanted list, despite being similarly cup-tied for the remainder of this season's UEFA Champions League. The playmaking midfielder only recently signed a new contract with high-flying Atletico until 2018 but United are still thought to have the funds to be able to complete a deal. It is hoped Koke would finally be the one to fill the void left by Paul Scholes, which the likes of Tom Cleverley have failed to acheive and that was a reason for the pursuit of Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas last summer. United, though, will face competition from AC Milan while Atletico, despite their status as a selling club, want to keep one of their star men.

ANDER HERRERA

Age: 24
Nationality: Spain
Club: Athletic Bilbao
Position: Deep-Sitting Midfield
Estimated Value: £31m
Alternative Targets: Steven Defour (Porto), Nemanja Matic (Benfica), Fernando (Porto) & Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund)

Reports in England claim Ander Herrera is one of the several Atletico Madrid players attracting United's interest as the target of a recent scouting trip to Spain. United were considering Herrera last summer before opting against a move but he continues to catch the eye. Having not played in the Champions League this season, the 24-year-old could even be a preferred option to the likes of Koke but he is older. Herrera is a class act in that deep-sitting position and pulling the strings in between the defence and the attacking midfielders.

DIEGO COSTA

Age: 25
Nationality: Brazil
Club: Atletico Madrid
Position: Striker
Estimated Value: £32m
Alternative Targets:Edinson Cavani (PSG), Mosquito (Atletico Paranaense), Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)

Costa is just one goal behind Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the Primera Liga's goalscoring charts having netted an incredible 19 times to provide a main reason why Atletico Madrid are keeping pace with Barcelona at the top of the table. The Brazilian has been linked with most of Europe's top clubs and United are no different in reportedly having scouted the forward. With rumours surrounding the future and fitness of Robin van Persie, Costa is a strong target for United. Again, though, Atletico do not want to sell in January.

WILLIAM CARVALHO

Age: 21
Nationality: Portugal
Club: Sporting
Position: Deep-Sitting Midfield
Estimated Value: £35m
Alternative Targets: Nemanja Matic (Benfica), Fernando (Porto) & Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund)

Carvalho's breakthrough season at Sporting is already alerting top clubs in England, with United reportedly having watched the midfielder on six occasions already in the campaign as they consider options for the future and alternatives to Herrera. Arsenal have also been linked with the player who has become the latest in a long line to be compared to Patrick Vieira and that means he will not come cheap. Carvalho is not yet at the top level but has an abundance of potential and is capable of using his considerable frame to win the ball while also possessing superb passing ability.

Sky Bet Say...

Koke is United's most likely signing in January, with Sky Bet going 4/7 on the Atletico Madrid midfielder moving before deadline day. However, should that move fail to materialise then Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera is next in line at 2/1.

Arturo Vidal is also a rumoured target and is 5/2 to go, while Adam Lallana (7/2) and Ross Barkley (9/2) are the most likely midfield candidates if United prefer to stick to the domestic market.

Elsewhere, left-back appears to be an issue for Moyes but with Everton seemingly reluctant to sell Leighton Baines, Fabio Coentrao has emerged as the favourite to fill the void. Real Madrid are willing to part ways with the Portuguese full-back and United are 4/6 favourites to sign him, though Baines remains an 8/11 chance.

Source: Skysports.com