It has been a well-known fact for quite a considerable amount of time that Manchester United have been in desperate need of a centre-back. It now seems that Louis Van Gaal will be addressing the long-standing issue in the summer with the rumours suggesting that Borussia Dortmund Matt Hummels is his top target.
United have previously pursued the World Cup winner on many occasions but have failed to bring him to Old Trafford and there is no guarantee that they can pry the 25-year-old from Westfalenstadion in the summer.
If that were to be the case here are seven alternatives that Van Gaal could bring to Manchester in the transfer window.
1 - Raphael Varane
Varane is one of the brightest prospects in world football, the central defender has shown his quality at the tender age of 22 in one of the best sides in world football in Real Madrid.
The French international is known for his physicality and his pace which was clearly evident in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with rivals Atletico Madrid. Varane has come into his own this keeping a centre-back the quality of Pepe is quite an achievement.
Despite his lack of experience at his tender age he has gained many admirers with his former manager Jose Mourinho reprovingly wanting to bring him Stamford Bridge.
However Madrid don’t seem interested in selling the French international who signed a six year contract earlier in the season which will keep him at the Bernabeu to at least 2020.
Any attempt to pry him away from the Bernabeu will burn a major hole in Van Gaal’s wallet.
2 - Aymeric Laporte
This young defender is relatively unknown but Aymeric Laporte is known as one of best young players on the planet and is set to blow up in a big way. Laporte (the second Frenchman to play for Athletic Bilbao) is already leading that back line at one of biggest clubs in Spain at the tender age of 20.
Like Hummels he is a modern centre back as he can move the ball forward and his calm and composed play with the ball makes him look like a player way beyond his years. Laporte is nowhere near the finished product but with the likes of Barcelona sniffing around and only a £21 million release clause it is a risk that Van Gaal should seriously consider.
3 - Diego Godin
Another defender that has been seriously linked with a move to Old Trafford is arguably one of the best defenders within the last calendar year in the form of Uruguayan Diego Godin.
The Atletico Madrid defender guided his side to their first La Liga title since 1996 as well as their first European final in 40 years and many were disappointed that he was snubbed a place in the FIFA’s team of the year.
Godin has played another major part in Diego Simeone’s side this year making 44 appearances so far this season as well as scoring four goals along the way.
Recent reports have suggested that Chelsea have joined United in the race for the 29-year-old who has himself stated that he is not interested with a move away from the Vicente Calderon. However if United can match his £28.5million release clause Madrid may not be in a position to turn it down.
4 - Jan Vertonghen
A transfer target that is closer to home is in the form of Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen.
The Belgian international is considered one of the best defenders in the Premier League. He like Varane and Laporte are a new breed of defenders that are good at playing the ball out of the defence is good on and at the age of 28 he is just entering his prime.
At the beginning of the season it was reported that Vertonghen had rejected a new contract at White Hart Lane and with that still yet to be resolved and with ambitions of Champions League football which could United offer him next season he could make the switch from North London.
5 - Thiago Silva
The fifth alternative is Thiago Silva who is widely considered one of, if not the best central defender in world football today.
The Brazilian who has been named in the FIFA World XI for the last two years would be an excellent asset at Van Gaal’s disposal as he is a tough tackling no nonsense defender as well as having the ability to play the ball out from back which is vital in the modern game.
He has also shown that he leadership credentials captaining and country until recently when Neymar took over the national captaincy. At 30-years-old age might not be on his side but there is still enough years and certainly enough quality for Van Gaal to make a big money.
6 - Jose Fonte
One surprise alternative and one that would be a lot cheaper financially is Southampton’s Jose Fonte.
The Portuguese defender who has been at St Mary’s since 2010 has been one of the many major influences in Southampton meteoric rise this season despite many having them down for relegation contenders at the beginning of the campaign.
He has been ever-present in the Saint’s back line playing 31 matches so far in the league, Ronald Koeman’s side are the joint top side to concede the least amount of goals with just 26 and Fonte has been one of the main reasons for that,.
Again, like Silva, time isn’t necessarily on his side at the age of 31 but I believe that he does deserve a chance to show what he can do at one of the major English clubs.
7 - Miranda
The final alternative and team mate to Diego Godin is the Brazilian defender Miranda.
Like his defensive partner, Miranda was a key factor in bringing the La Liga title back to Atletico after 18 years as well as reaching the final in Lisbon.
The 31-year-old has been offered to United in the past, but with Atletico looking keen to pass him on with his contract running out in 2016 it looks likely Van Gaal could snap him up for a cut price and is more of a realistic target than his Uruguayan counterpart.