Man Utd and Arsenal targets make our top 5 winter rumours

A good transfer rumour, like a fine wine, only gets better with age, and there are some players who can spend an entire career being linked with a move to the Premier League.

Some, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Leandro Damiao, will perhaps never make it, but that doesn’t stop English clubs seemingly sniffing around them during every window.

This January, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are likely to be among the busiest top-flight clubs, and we kick off our list of the most exciting winter rumours with a long-standing Red Devils target.

United’s last game of 2014 is away at Tottenham Hotspur, where they are 13/10 to pick up an eighth win in nine games.

Kevin Strootman

The Dutch midfielder was apparently on United’s radar even before he moved from PSV to Roma, and given his form in the Eternal City it is no surprise that the 24-year-old continues to be a part of their plans.

That will be especially true now Louis van Gaal is in charge at Old Trafford, as the Iron Tulip became a huge fan of Strootman when in charge of the Netherlands national team.

Even after a long injury layoff, Strootman won’t come cheap, with £30m the oft-cited amount likely to be needed, but that might be worth it for United to solve their midfield issues at a stroke.

Sami Khedira

Injuries and Real Madrid’s jam-packed squad have limited the German midfielder’s playing time at the Bernabeu, and both Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly considering a bid for the 27-year-old.

Khedira is a favourite of Jose Mourinho from his time in Spain, and it’s easy to see how the Gunners would benefit from his combative presence in midfield.

Xherdan Shaqiri

The 23-year-old sparkled at the World Cup for Switzerland, but still can’t get a look in for Bayern Munich and is interesting a host of sides around Europe.

Signing Shaqiri would be a major coup for Liverpool, and his tricky presence would instantly liven up their attack.

Edinson Cavani

With Arsenal loosening the purse-strings in recent seasons, splashing big money on Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, a huge January bid for the Uruguayan forward seems less unlikely than before.

Still not settled at an Ibrahimovic-dominated PSG, Cavani might well fancy a chance to spearhead the Gunners’ attack if they can find the £50m-plus it would take to convince the French club to sell.

Wilfried Bony 

The Ivorian is in a different bracket to Cavani, and yet his proven Premier League class will certainly appeal to Liverpool and Spurs, both apparently interested in the Swansea hitman.

With 20 goals, Bony has been the most prolific player in the league in 2014, and he could be up for grabs at around £20m this January.

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