Rumour Mill: Manchester United linked with Gareth Bale, Paul Pogba and Luka Modric

MANCHESTER United manager Louis Van Gaal may be saying he does not expect to make any big signings in January - but does anyone really believe him?

Gareth Bale

MANCHESTER United manager Louis Van Gaal may be saying he does not expect to make any big signings in January - but does anyone really believe him?

The Dutchman told the Manchester Evening News that “I don’t think that we shall be very active as not many players of a certain level are available.”

And news emerged on Sunday to back that up as long-time targets Mats Hummels and Kevin Strootman look likely to be staying put. United have also reportedly ended their pursuit of Everton defender Seamus Coleman.

Gareth Bale’s name still keeps cropping up in relation to Manchester United.

But money talks - and United reportedly have bucketloads of it to splash.

Enter Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Paul Pogba.

The Express has United ready to meet Real Madrid’s demand of parting with goalkeeper David De Gea to get star Welshman Bale.

The 25-year-old would set the EPL club back around $200 million but the sale of the young Spanish goalkeeper would offset that a little bit.

Bale, while happy at the Bernabeu, will reportedly listen to any United overtures.

Modric is reportedly unsettled at Real Madrid and seeks a Premier League return. United have long admired the Croatian and tried to sign him 18 months ago.

Would Paul Pogba really go back to Old Trafford?

And then there is Pogba.

The French midfielder - who of course once plied his trade at Old Trafford - is being courted by Chelsea, Real Madrid and Arsenal as well but said earlier this week that he ‘still loves Manchester United’.

Didn’t someone else say that recently!

A more realistic purchase seems to be Barcelona defender Dani Alves.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu indicated the full-back’s future at the club may be drawing to a close.

“What concerns us now is that he plays and contributes to the team,” Bartomeu told Catalunya Radio.

“What is to come, will come. We never explain what we do on the issue of contracts.

“If it is done, it will be done discretely, like always,” he said.

Papiss Cisse could follow Alan Pardew to Crystal Palace.

OTHER POTENTIAL MOVES

- Marco Reus swepstakes not over as player’s agent says reports that German star is signed with Real Madrid as ‘blatant nonsense’. Chelsea and Manchester United heave a sigh of relief.

- resurgent Crystal Palace join in the hunt for Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse

- Spurs have opened talks with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk over a deal to sign Yevhen Konoplyanka

- Hull are eyeing a move for either Aaron Lennon or Mohamed Salah.