Transfer roundup: Big spenders United set sights on Cavani

Spurs look to Belgian striker to partner Kane as El Shaarawy completes loan move to Monaco

Manchester United are looking into the purchase of Edinson Cavani from Paris St-Germain, following the English club’s success in bringing in Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastain Schweinsteiger and Matteo Darmian.

Manager Louis van Gaal has admitted to his side’s lack of striking options, compounded by the departure of Robin van Persie to Fernebahce. A top-class striker to replace the Dutchman is therefore a priority for van Gaal, and Talksport reports that Cavani is top of the list, ahead of Belgian striker Christian Benteke.

The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson, speaking to Hawksee and Jacobs of Talksport, stated that “Edinson Cavani is Manchester United’s prime target to replace Robin van Persie”.

Jackson went on to say that “Benteke is on United's list, and there is interest there, but he’s not top of the list at the moment”, before inferring that Benteke was more of a target for arch-rivals Liverpool.

Spurs look to Belgian striker to partner Kane

Tottenham Hotspur are scouting Belgium international striker Michy Batshuayi, priced at £9m, as a partner for homegrown starlet Harry Kane.

21-year-old Batshuayi, who plies his trade in Ligue 1 with Marseille, is seen as a cheaper alternative to fellow Belgian Christian Benteke, whom Tottenham have showed a keen interest in during the last two summer transfer windows.

The Aston Villa striker has a £32.5m release clause, which has deterred Spurs chairman Daniel Levy from acquiring his services. Heavy interest from Liverpool also makes Benteke moving to Spurs a farfetched prediction.

Batshuayi is a young and hungry striker, who would look to make the same impact in the Premier League as Benteke, should his move to North London materialize. Whilst only notching 11 goals last season in all competitions, his youth puts him in good stead to develop his game, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to build a young and dynamic squad.

The current strikers at Tottenham’s disposal leaves a lot to be desired, Harry Kane being the exception. Roberto Soldado, who cost £26m from Valencia, has failed abysmally to match his scoring exploits in La Liga, although that is not for the lack of trying. Emmanuel Adebayor on the other hand has infuriated supporters with his performances, of which many have had an absence of effort.

El Shaarawy completes loan move to Monaco

Stephan El Shaarawy has signed a one-year loan deal with AS Monaco from Italian giants AC Milan.

The 22-year-old winger-cum-striker completed his medical with the French club on Monday – Monaco have an option to buy for €16m (£11.5m) which will become compulsory should El Shaarawy play a certain number of games for Monaco this season.

The Italian international is considered one of the game’s brightest stars; in 2012-13, he was the Serie A’s top scorer with 14 goals, before the arrival of Mario Balotelli restricted his game time.

Since then, he has suffered from injury problems, which have hampered his previously eye-catching progress. However, Monaco CEO Vadim Vasilyev is confident that El Shaarawy will regain the form which saw him touted as the next major star in world football, stating:  “El Shaarawy has experience of several seasons at the highest level, but simultaneously represents the future.”

“His talent allowed him to explode in front of the eyes of world football and we believe that AS Monaco will allow him to fully accomplish his potential.”