Man Utd, Chelsea and Bayern Munich create world-class defender chain

If reports from Brazil are to be believed, Dante is in line to be a Manchester United player by the end of January and if this is true, it certainly represents more of a short-term transfer approach from the Red Devils.

However, it is an approach that has proved successful in the rare instances that Man Utd have utilised it in the past, with Teddy Sheringham and Edwin Van der Sar examples of players who signed after the age of 30, but were influential in periods of success.

Both won Champions League finals at Old Trafford and although Dante would have little-to-no sell-on value, his attributes in the next few years could be critical.

Dante has been pivotal to Bayern keeping the most clean sheets in the Bundesliga, while ranking in the top three in the German top flight for both successful passes and successful long passes.

This distribution from defence may be even more valued now that Rio Ferdinand is playing less in the first team, making only two appearances for the Red Devils since November.

Dante’s arrival could assist Man Utd finish in the top four this season, which can be backed at 11/5 in the Premier League odds. Alternatively, it is 6/1 that Man Utd win the Premier League in 2014/15.

It does seem slightly strange that Bayern would allow Dante to leave at this point, as they would be a defender light for their Champions League defence.

Meanwhile for Dante, moving to another country six months before the World Cup may not prove the best career move as he looks to win the battle with David Luiz to partner Thiago Silva at centre half in the Brazil team.

And it is Luiz that may be involved in another fashion if the Dante to Man Utd switch is completed.

Further speculation suggests that Bayern have informed Chelsea of their interest in Luiz and this may be closer to being finalised if Pep Guardiola is allowing Dante to depart.

With impressive French teenage defender Kurt Zouma also said to have held talks with Chelsea, this would be another reason that they would be willing to allow Luiz to leave.