Manchester United Transfer News: Douglas Costa Enquiry, Sami Khedira Rumours

  

Manchester United have reportedly enquired about Shakhtar Donetsk winger Douglas Costa, the Brazil international who has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea.

According to the Daily Mirror's John Cross, the Blues aren't the only team interested in the services of the 24-year-old, although he believes Chelsea are favourites to land him:

Shakhtar are ready to cash in on their prize asset.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are also interested, while Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have all made enquiries, but Chelsea are in pole position after having lengthy discussions about a move in the last window.

The player has also already indicated he likes the idea of a move to Stamford Bridge, as he told Marcus Alves of FourFourTwo:

I’d be really interested in moving to Chelsea—not only because everything Willian tells me about the club, but because I think that I’d be able to achieve everything I want having someone like Jose Mourinho by my side.

Since I left Brazil, I have worked with a marvellous coach (Mircea Lucescu) and got an idea of how much influence such a good professional can have in your football. Now I think it’s time to try a new philosophy and I’m sure that Mourinho's is the best around. He’s always fighting for trophies.

But Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes isn't so sure the Brazilian would be a good fit for the Blues, who already have an abundance of talent out on the right wing:

A move to Manchester certainly would make more sense for Costa. The Red Devils have a number of talented forwards, but with the exception of Angel Di Maria and Adnan Januzaj, most of the top options prefer to play through the centre rather than move wide.

Costa is a natural fit out on the wing, using his pace and creativity to carve up defences and create space for others. His finishing can get erratic, and he's relatively unproven against top-quality opposition, but looking ahead at this summer's transfer market, he might be one of the best bargains available.

As reported by The Associated Press (for the Guardian), he was among a group of Shakhtar players who refused to return to Ukraine at the start of the season due to the unrest in the area. Costa wants to leave Donetsk, and while there is some competition for his signature, it should still be possible to strike a good deal.

United In for Sami Khedira

According to Calciomercato (h/t Manchester Evening News' James Robson), Manchester United will be involved in the Sami Khedira sweepstakes when the Real Madrid midfielder's contract runs out at the end of the season.

The Germany international has been linked with a host of clubs, and per Robson, he's on the list of midfielders targeted by Louis van Gaal:

Manchester United are planning a move for Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, according to reports.

The German World Cup winner is out of contract at the end of the season.

Louis van Gaal has made it a priority to sign a world class midfielder this summer and Khedira fits the bill.

Kevin Strootman has long-been the Dutchman's top target, but Calciomercato says Khedira is also on his radar.

The 27-year-old has already made it clear he plans on leaving Madrid at the end of the current campaign, via Sky Sports:

One of the catalysts behind Germany's run through the 2014 World Cup, Khedira is a physically imposing midfielder with excellent passing range and vision. He's not the most aggressive tackler but often manages to win the ball using his positioning and instincts and contributes further up the pitch as well.

Schalke were long seen as favourites to bring him back to the Bundesliga, but manager Roberto Di Matteo has recently conceded it may be difficult for his club to sign him given the competition they will face, via beIN Sports USA:

Khedira has a lengthy injury history, via Transfermarkt.com, but he remains a uniquely gifted player who will be available for pennies on the dollar. With no transfer fee needed, United certainly have the resources to put together a tantalising wage packet, something Schalke may struggle to do.

There's always a risk involved when moving for an injury-prone player, but given Khedira's status as an impending free agent, this is a risk the Red Devils can certainly afford to take.