EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd close to £80m triple swoop with big-money striker also eyed

WITH Manchester United edging closer to a return to the Champions League, Louis van Gaal is moving in on several of his summer transfer targets.

Memphis Depay Player Profile

Van Gaal has around £150million to spend in a bid to beef up United for a serious challenge to recapture the Premier League title from Chelsea next season while re-establishing the club as a European force.

United have always liked to move quickly in the transfer market and the wheels for several deals have been turning for several months.

Dutchman Van Gaal has exploited his close friendship with PSV Eindhoven technical director Marcel Brands to ensure United are clear favourites to sign Memphis Depay.

Brands, who worked with Van Gaal during his spell as manager of AZ Alkmaar, confirmed after Depay had helped them secure their first Dutch title for seven years at the weekend that United have now formally lodged their interest.

Louis van GaalGETTY

Louis van Gaal is closing in on three summer signings as he plots his latest Old Trafford overhaul

And it is understood United are prepared to meet PSV’s £25m asking price for the 21-year-old who Van Gaal included in his Holland squad for last summer’s World Cup.

Liverpool and Tottenham are also interested but Depay, it is understood, he prefers a switch to Old Trafford.

Barring a disastrous downturn in their results over the final five games, United will be able to offer Champons League football next season plus there is a strong Netherlands connection at the club with Van Gaal, his three Dutch coaches plus Depay’s international team-mates Robin Van Persie and Daley Blind.

Depay is the new golden boy of Dutch football and has scored 20 League goals to help PSV to the championship.

Nathaniel Clyne Player Profile

United are also understood to be closing in on two other targets, Southampton right back Nathaniel Clyne and Borussia Dortmund centre back Mats Hummels.

Clyne has admitted he wants Champions League football next season and a £20m move to Old Trafford - where he will link up again with former Saints team-mate Luke Shaw – could be completed as soon as the transfer window re-opens on July 1.

Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Dortmund is likely to convince Hummels it is also time for him to take up a new challenge and United have told the fallen German giants they are happy to meet their £35m asking price for one of Van Gaal’s long-term targets.

With United now certain not to take up their option to buy loan flop Radamel Falcao on a permanent basis from Monaco and continuing question marks over Van Persie’s future, Van Gaal is looking for a new striker – or possibly two.

United have noted Edinson Cavani’s unrest at Paris St Germain and although the French club insist the Uruguay international is not for sale, United could tempt them with a player exchange involving £60m record buy Angel Di Maria, who is growing frustrated at being used only as a substitute since returning from suspension.

But if PSG refuse to budge, United could revive their interest in Robert Lewandowski, who has not enjoyed the best of first seasons with Bayern Munich.

Edinson Cavani Player Profile

United have the financial resources to bring Gareth Bale back to the Premier League and although the Welsh international insists he is happy in Spain, they will continue to monitor events at the Bernabeu this summer, especially if Carlo Ancelotti gets the axe and a new manager decides he wants to freshen up the team.

Arugably, the most important piece of business for United this summer is to persuade goalkeeper David de Gea to sign a new long-term contract to fend off interest from Real Madrid.

And with the prospect of Champions League football at Old Trafford next season now looking secure, United remain confident the Spain No 1 will sign a deal that is likely to make him the best-paid goalkeeper in the world.

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