Manchester United transfer news: Red Devils plotting moves for Mats Hummels and Edinson Cavani

Manchester United are plotting moves for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani with both players reaching an impasse with their clubs over a contract extension and playing position respectively. The duo have been extensively linked with the Red Devils in the past and with Louis van Gaal's side struggling in both departments at the moment, they will be welcome additions either in January or during the summer transfer window.

According to the Independent, the former Bayern Munich manager, is hopeful of signing the German World Cup winner, with the report claiming that the Dutchman enjoyed a good relationship with the player's father during his stint with the Bavarian giants. Hummels, who is contracted to the Bundesliga club until the summer of 2017, is reportedly stalling on a new contract after revealing that there have not been talks with the club regarding a new deal, which has alerted the Premier League big guns.

"There have not been any talks in any direction. Everything's still very quiet. I am relaxed about this issue because I don't see that I am pushed for time," Hummels said, as quoted by the Independent.

Cavani, on the other hand, could move clubs during the ongoing transfer window after the PSG manager gave the Uruguayan striker permission to consider other offers due to his behaviour, which was affecting the rest of the team. The former Napoli forward has been at loggerheads with the Ligue 1 club's manager regarding his role in the team.

The 28-year-old, who is primarily a central striker, has been deployed on the wings, with the manager preferring Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the No 9 position. The omission has infuriated Cavani, whose behaviour has now been deemed unacceptable by the manager, who is ready to let him depart the Parc des Princes for the betterment of the team. The 20-time English champions are facing a struggle to find the back of the net on a consistent basis this season and could move for the Uruguay international to provide competition to Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial for the rest of the campaign.

"There is a problem with Cavani's behaviour but my job is to think of the entire squad as a collective," Blanc said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

"We did hold a staff meeting and among the various issues we discussed were Cavani and his complaints. The desires of the individual can't affect the rest of the team. I believe that he can score here but I understand if he wants to consider other career opportunities," the French manager added.