Manchester United plotting summer move for Bayern Munich defender Dante

Manchester United have reportedly made a move to sign central defender Dante from Bayern Munich in the summer.

According to German newspaper Kicker, the Red Devils have made a concrete offer for the Brazilian defender and are keen to bring him to Old Trafford ahead of next season.

Louis van Gaal has made strengthening his defence a priority after struggling to keep clean sheets without a settled back four during the course of the 2014/15 campaign.

The Old Trafford club have been linked with various players in recent weeks with Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels and Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi the most frequently mentioned names.

The former has now decided to reject a move to Old Trafford and decided to remain with the Bundesliga club, but the latter's agent has admitted that they are trying to force a move away from the La Liga side this season.

Apart from Dante, United are interested in teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger, with Pep Guardiola opening the door for the midfielder to make a summer move.

On the other hand, Bayern are interested in British-record signing Angel di Maria, who has struggled to adapt to the English Premier League and has been linked with a move away after a disappointing debut season.

Louis van Gaal is reluctant to let the Argentine winger go, but reports suggest that the Dutch manager will sanction a move if the player wishes to leave after just one season at the club.

The report claims that, the Bavarian giants will want the Argentine involved in any deal to take the defender or midfielder to Old Trafford as they look for a long-term replacement for winger Franck Ribery.