Manchester United are lining up an audacious offer worth £73 million to complete the signing of a 'big player' this summer, according to Dutch daily De Telegraaf, and the player is likely to be an attacker.
Reports have spread like wildfire in the last few days that the Red Devils are in pursuit of Brazilian star Neymar and Ed Woodward's side is willing to break the bank to land the Barcelona forward. However, with little or no signs of the transfer happening this summer, United have shifted their focus to Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben, according to Daily Express.
The Dutch daily, which is known for breaking reliable news, has claimed that Louis van Gaal is willing to shell the aforementioned amount for Robben and is keen on taking forward their collaboration ahead.
The former Chelsea winger has had a long association with the Dutch manager. Robben has played under Van Gaal for the Dutch national side as well as Bundesliga giants Bayern. After arriving at the Allianz Arena as the manager in 2009, the Dutch coach roped in Robben from Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, reports also state that Robben is excited to join with Van Gaal as well as his younger compatriot Memphis Depay at the Old Trafford.
Thirty-one-year-old Robben is not the only Bayern player targetted by Van Gaal this summer. The Red Devils pursued German midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger this summer and successfully acquired his signature.
Even Bayern star forward Thomas Muller has been heavily linked with a move to the Old Trafford this summer, but the story fizzled out later.
The news of Manchester United showing interest in Robben, however, cannot be taken as just another rumour, as De Telegraaf has been known in the past for providing reliable news.
The Dutch daily broke the news of Van Gaal's arrival at Old Trafford last summer and was also the first to report that Dutchman Memphis Depay will move from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United at the end of the 2014-15 season.
Meanwhile, reliable Italian media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb has exclusively reported that United have launched a bid worth €40m plus bonus (£29.1million, excluding add-ons) for Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder scored 10 times and picked up eight assists from 32 games in the Serie A last season.