United to Allow Kagawa to Rejoin Dortmund in January Swap Deal - Report

Manchester United are considering a January move to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic with Shinji Kagawa going the other way in a swap deal, reports suggest.

The Japanese international joined the Premier League champions last summer but failed to feature regularly in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season at the club, with injuries restricting his appearances.

Kagawa has struggled to find a place in United's starting line-up under David Moyes this season and was substituted at half time during their recent 2-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion. The 24-year-old has made just three appearances in all competitions this term, failing to complete a full 90 minutes in each of them.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola claims that Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is keen to bring Kagawa back to Signal Iduna Park in the January transfer window. The report suggests United will allow Kagawa to leave should the Bundesliga outfit be willing to let Serbian internationa Subotic join them as a part of the swap deal.

Kagawa has already expressed his disappointment after being substituted during their Premier League defeat to the Baggies.

"I thought that I would have been able to find some space to create the chances in the second half. In that sense I was disappointed. Sure, I wasn't involved that much. I didn't touch the ball enough but I was trying to be patient so I didn't feel that bad," Kagawa explained.

Dortmund are aware of the Old Trafford club's growing interest in Subotic and have already investigated the market for a replacement. The Express reports that the Champions League finalists could bring in Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin in January to take the Serbian centre-back's place in the squad.

The same report also suggests that Dortmund are likely to face competition from United's arch rivals Manchester City for Godin's signature.

Moyes is looking to bring in players who can go directly into the team and signing a central defender in January may be a priority for the former Everton boss.

Subotic has already featured for Dortmund in European competition and his addition would bolster United's back four. Meanwhile, the United boss is also interested in Benfica's Ezequiel Garay, who has long been a transfer target for the Premier League champions.