Manchester United prepare move for Fernando Llorente as their 'surprise' signing

Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Fernando Llorente and are set to offer him a contract this summer, according to the Mirror.

The report states that Van Gaal was pointing to Llorente when he talked about signing a "surprise striker" and that the 30-year-old will come to Old Trafford and act as back-up to Wayne Rooney, who will be given the role to lead their attack.

The England international was forced to work in midfield last season owing to several injuries and lack of quality personnel in that position. However, with United bringing in Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, that need has been mitigated, allowing the manager to use Rooney in his best position.

Llorente will look to alleviate the void left by the departure of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao, both of who had a disappointing campaign last season, with Falcao leaving the club to join Chelsea while Van Persie made his way to Turkey to join Fenerbahce.

The Basque striker made 41 appearances for Juventus last season, scoring 11 goals and assisting one, working alongside Carlos Tevez, who was deployed through the middle.

Van Gaal said in his press conference leading to the San Jose Earthquakes friendly that a deal with the "surprise" striker is under process and the media will be notified when it is completed.

"He is in the process. It's not the striker the media has written about. You have to wait and see. The transfer period is open until the 1 September so we have to wait," Van Gaal told United's official website.

Meanwhile, German publication Sport1 reports that United are preparing a £70m bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Muller, after having a bid rejected for the player by the Bavarians. It will be a difficult deal to pull off given United have already signed Schweinsteiger this summer and the club will be loathe to sell any of their other valuable players to the English club.