Kagawa and Turan in Man Utd-Atletico transfer switch deal

Tabloid reports suggest that 5/1 (a market best price) Premier League chances Manchester United and Atletico Madrid are set for transfer talks over a swap deal, involving Shinji Kagawa and Arda Turan.

Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal would be willing to offload the Japan star attacker plus offer £16m in exchange for Atleti’s Turkish winger. The La Liga champions, 14/1 (also an industry best price) to defend their title, have reportedly been tracking Kagawa for part of the summer, and Van Gaal has confirmed he is set for talks with his current players.

“I shall make judgements after this tour,” the Dutchman said, prior to his side’s 3-1 win over arch rivals Liverpool in the pre-season International Champions Cup final in the USA. “I will let all the players play and I know now more than before the tour.

“Now also it is a little bit soon to judge, but in football you have to judge. You have to give a chance to the player to make a transfer when I see that his prospects to play are not so high.

“You have to say it in advance because it’s too late after August 31st (transfer deadline day). I will tell payers after the tour but to them, not to you.”

Kagawa has been impressive in United’s tour of the USA, but Van Gaal has hinted earlier this summer his team have too many number 10s for his preferred 3-4-1-2 formation. It is widely reported that the 25-year-old is on the Dutchman’s list to leave Old Trafford.

Other players said to be unwanted by Van Gaal include Marouane Fellaini, Nani, Anderson and Javier Hernandez, who has also been heavily linked with a move to Atletico.

If Turan, 27, were to head the other way to Old Trafford, he would almost certainly be used in a wing back position. He is adept at playing on either side and, with Antonio Valencia, Rafael and Ashley Young vying for a place on the right, United need cover on the left with Luke Shaw the only real option there.

The Turkish international wideman was a big part of Atleti’s success last term, and scored nine goals in 46 appearances in all competitions to help his side win La Liga and reach the Champions League final.