Manchester United Transfer News: Stefan de Vrij Bid Readied, Latest Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly stepping up their interest in Stefan de Vrij by tabling an £18.3 million bid, while Radamel Falcao is set to leave Old Trafford even if Louis van Gaal wants him to stay.

According to Raimondo De Magistris of Tuttomercatoweb, via Will Giles of Metro.co.uk:

The Dutch centre-back was strongly tipped to join United in the summer on the back of a strong World Cup showing under Louis van Gaal, but opted for Serie A instead, where he has shone for new side Lazio. ...

While the proposed figure is a substantial one, it remains to be seen whether Lazio would sell given de Vrij’s growing importance to their push for Champions League football.

Italy-based football pundit Mirko Corli acknowledged the rumours, adding that De Vrij is in good form for Lazio:

This is in stark contrast to his early form in Rome, which The Guardian's James Horncastle admitted was less than inspiring:

The Dutchman has turned things around though, and would be a strong addition to Van Gaal's squad.

Here are some of his highlights from his time with Feyenoord:

The 23-year-old's efforts have led his team to third place in Serie A, and Lazio likewise boast the third-best defensive record in the league.

De Vrij has won 45 percent of his tackles and 55 percent of his headed duels in Serie A (h/t Squawka), as well as 17 of 19 take-ons, so the centre-back appears comfortable in the air and dispossessing opponents. 

The Dutch international also reads the game well, averaging 3.8 interceptions per game (h/t WhoScored.com), more than Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling.

Were he to sign for United, the Red Devils would look a far stronger prospect at the back. Even so, United could really do with signing at least two defenders, so De Vrij won't be the sole answer to all of their problems.

At the other end of the pitch, it seems United may need to find a replacement for Falcao, who will reportedly leave United at the end of his season-long loan deal.

According to Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star, Falcao's agent, Jorge Mendes, claims he will sign for a top European club, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus and Valencia all thought to be interested.

Falcao's former agent, Silvano Espindola, revealed that Falcao's frustration has brought him to tears.

Per Cross, he said: "I am not going to tell you that he feels happy because he isn't. We speak many times and we cry together. It is not an easy situation because every player wants to play and every goalscorer wants to score goals."

When Falcao arrived in Manchester on transfer deadline day, there was an overwhelmingly positive reaction at the signing of one of the world's deadliest hitmen:

Now, the 29-year-old is subject of ridicule:

With Falcao set to cost United £43 million to make his loan signing permanent and £280,000-per-week wage packet, as well as continuing speculation as to the state of his knee (per Simon Rice of The Independent), it would be best for all parties if the Colombian were to depart at the end of the season.

Per WhoScored.com, Falcao has managed just four goals and four assists in 22 appearances for the Red Devils, while Sky Sports' Martin Laurence notes that the striker's shot frequency and chance conversion is steadily declining year on year.

With Robin van Persie now 31 and also on the decline, and Wayne Rooney often being utilised in midfield by Van Gaal, it's time United injected some new blood into their front line.

The Red Devils would benefit greatly from signing a big-money, predatory forward this summer but that forward shouldn't, and in all likelihood won't, be Falcao.