Manchester United are set to be extra busy in the transfer window this summer, with the club set to seal their record breaking £750million kit deal with Adidas in the coming weeks.
Louis van Gaal spent close to £150million during his first summer in charge at Old Trafford, and has already added his fellow countryman Memphis Depay to the ranks for another £25million before the window has even opened.
It seems nobody can match the Red Devils when it comes to spending power, which is one of the reasons the Champions League returners have been linked with a massive £85million move for Real Madrid misfit Gareth Bale.
But here we have identified five alternatives that are capable of doing just as good a job – and for a fraction of the price.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal 5 players Manchester United should sign instead of Gareth Bale
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Marco Reus
Whilst Borussia Dortmund insist their star man is not for sale – the German international has only recently signed a new contract at the Westfalenstadion – there is no doubt the departure of Jurgen Klopp has made the situation more interesting.
Manchester United held a firm interest in Reus last summer, and are one of the few clubs in Europe capable of luring him with a mega money offer.
The fact they are capable of offering Champions League football next season may also prove a deciding factor in whether Reus attempts to force through a transfer.
Raheem Sterling
Only 12 months ago the Liverpool man was being described as the best young player in Europe.
Despite a dip in form towards the back end of the season, Sterling is still considered to be one of the best young players on the market, and United have been credited with a serious interest this week.
What’s more, is that Sterling is said to be interested himself.
Potentially available for £50million cheaper than Bale, and at only 20-years-of-age, the prospect of stealing one of the prized assets from their most bitterest of rivals is an exciting one for many United supporters.
Antoine Griezmann
The Frenchman only completed a move to Atletico Madrid last summer, but is said to have a buy-out-clause that Manchester United are more than capable of triggering.
The former Real Sociedad man has enjoyed a fantastic season in Spain, and given that Atletico have a history of selling their best players, it would not be a shock were he to move on after just 12 months.
Chelsea are also said to be interested in the France international, so if Manchester United were to win the race for his signature it would be considered something of a transfer coup.
Edinson Cavani
With Memphis Depay already on his way to Old Trafford this summer, van Gaal may well look to strengthen other areas of his side – perhaps someone capable in playing both out wide and as a central striker.
PSG forward Edinson Cavani is a man capable of playing both of those roles – although by all accounts he is far happier as a central striker.
With Robin van Persie having been linked with a move to Juventus in recent weeks, it may well make sense for van Gaal to swoop for the Uruguayan ahead of Bale.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Every transfer window there seems to be stories linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a return to Manchester United – and this summer is set to be no different.
In fact, United may never get a better chance to lure the reigning world player of the year back to Old Trafford, with reports in the Spanish press claiming Ronaldo is unhappy with the appointment of former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as the new manager of Real Madrid.
Real have already gone one season without silverware, and the prospect of failure to do so next term may see Ronaldo attempt to force through a transfer to the club at which he made his name.
