Manchester United Transfer News: Edinson Cavani, Sergio Ramos In? Angel Di María, Victor Valdés Out?

Having been quiet since signing Memphis Depay before the end of last season, Manchester United stunningly brought their transfer window to life in recent days. First came the arrival of Italy right-back Matteo Darmian, then the headline-grabbing signing of Germany’s World Cup winning captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, and on Monday the capture of midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin to complete a whirlwind triple swoop. That all three were signed in time to join the squad on their pre-season tour of the United States is a major success for manager Louis van Gaal. Yet his transfer business is unlikely to be at an end.

The focus is now the goalkeeping situation at Old Trafford, and particularly one player who was named on the list traveling to the U.S. and another who wasn’t. After Iker Casillas’ departure from Real Madrid, David de Gea’s long-mooted move to the Bernabeu appeared to be a step closer. Yet the Spain international, who has just a year left on his contract, will join United on their four-match tour.

While that doesn’t mean he won’t be leaving, it reflects the current impasse in negotiations between the two clubs. Madrid-based sports daily Marca reports that United’s position is that they will only do business if Madrid duo Sergio Ramos and Keylor Navas move in the opposite direction. While Navas’ exit is feasible, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has hinted that Ramos, one of United’s leading targets to improve the center of their defense, won’t be allowed to leave, despite making a request to do so.

Still, Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation entering the coming season remains uncertain. Further doubts emerged on Monday when Victor Valdés didn’t feature among the names heading across the Atlantic. It immediately brought speculation that the former Barcelona stopper, signed on a free transfer in January, would be on his way out. Such talk had been further fueled by the president of Turkish club Antalyaspor stating that Valdés was keen to join them. However, Valdés ’ agent has dismissed that suggestion and the possibility of Valdés leaving this summer.

“His only wishes are to remain at Manchester United and he has another year left on his contract,” Ginés Carvajal told Spanish publication AS. “We don’t see any reason for him to leave the club. United are amongst the top two or three best teams in the world. Victor is keen to fight for a place next season and wants to help the club as much as he can.”

One player who has left the club is striker Robin van Persie, who will sign on the dotted line for Fenerbahce on Tuesday. With just Wayne Rooney, James Wilson and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, who is also expected to depart, as striking options, Van Gaal looks certain to bolster his attacking options. And, according to The Guardian, the Dutch coach’s primary target is Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguay international has had an unsettled two years in the French capital since his big-money move from Napoli, having expressed his displeasure at often playing out wide. Yet, with the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG now uncertain, the French champions may be reluctant to part with Cavani.

Still, as the Guardian, suggests, United’s cause could be helped by PSG’s interest in Ángel di María, which has been confirmed in recent days by their manager Laurent Blanc. After a strong start following his British record £59.7 million transfer from Real Madrid last summer, Di María ended the campaign on the bench. And, although United may not be eager to cash-in on the Argentinian so soon after his arrival and likely for a significant loss, it has been widely suggested that Van Gaal wouldn’t be opposed to letting him go if the deal was right.