According to The Express, Manchester United are preparing an offer for Real Madrid's Sami Khedira, following news that the European Champions are planning to transfer list the Germany international.

The 27 year-old is regarded as one of Europe's top ball-winning midfielders, and certainly suits the template of Louis van Gaal's customary utilisation of an anchor man in his tried and trusted 4-3-3 formation.

The tabloids believe Los Blancos are prepared to sell Khedira for around £20million, but Arsenal and Chelsea have been hotly linked too.

However, amid reports of a £200million war-chest at his disposal, it's unlikely the Mannschaft star will be LvG's final acquisition of the summer.

With that in mind, here's a list of FIVE United targets who could follow Khedira to Old Trafford this summer - some inspired by his arrival, others more coincidental.

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MATS HUMMELS

Sami Khedira could soon find himself joined at Old Trafford by Germany team-mate and fellow Manchester United target Mats Hummels.

Measuring in at 6 foot 4 and averaging five successful aerial duels per match this season, the Borussia Dortmund centre-back is a formidable force in the air. He netted this bullet header against Portugal earlier this week:

But the 31-cap Germany star better known for his ability to play out of the back and link-up with midfield, often leading to comparisons with Mannschaft legend Franz Beckenbauer, best represented by these impressive attacking and passing statistics:

Here's a vid showing Hummels' impressive all-round game:

//www.youtube.com/embed/BitBv8B48UQ

Furthermore, the 25 year-old two-time Bundesliga winner represents the right balance between age, quality and experience from United's point of view. His reported £25million price-tag strikes great value for money too.

TONI KROOS

Another Mannschaft star known to be on the Carrington radar is Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos.

It was previously believed that the Germany international wouldn't be entertaining the notion of a United switch this summer, despite having just a year left on his Allianz Arena contract. But recent speculation suggests his widely-alleged move to Old Trafford could be back on...

Boasting three Bundesliga titles, a Champions League title and 45 caps for Germany at just 24 years of age, Kroos is widely considered to be one of the most impressive young midfielders in world football.

His technical talents would certainly address the Red Devils' desperate need for added quality in the middle of the park, just take a look at his outrageous passing stats from this season, courtesy of whoscored.com...

Kroos is a real assassin from long-range too. Here's his top five Bundesliga goals:

//www.youtube.com/embed/IUXwiLUosYg

But Manchester United are by no means the only interested party, with Real Madrid and Chelsea both hotly linked.

NICOLAS GAITAN

Another technically-gifted midfielder on the Old Trafford radar is Benfica's Nicolas Gaitan, according to The Metro...

The 26 year-old has long-been regarded as one of the most impressive talents outside of the European elite, having reached back-to-back Europa League finals with Aguias and claimed last term's Primeira Liga title.

In the process, the Argentina international has netted 27 times in 177 appearances for the Portuguese champs, including eight goals this season and this mouth-watering free-kick...

//www.youtube.com/embed/m7qKTAupe1k?autoplay=1

But he's better known for his trickery and intelligence on the ball, demonstrated in the below video...

//www.youtube.com/embed/VOWb2N3ZU-I

But Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona, to name a few, are known to hold an interest in the Benfica winger.

DALEY BLIND

Another Metro-inspired transfer rumour - the Red Devils are reportedly considering Holland left-back Daley Blind as an alternative to £30million target Luke Shaw.

The 24 year-old's stock has dramatically risen at the World Cup, in no small part due his impressive number of assists...

...

including this sensational set-up to Robin van Persie against Spain...

Blinds' World Cup form comes after an equally inspiring campaign for Ajax, where he won the Eredivisie title and the Dutch Player of the Year award.

Mirror Football have rated him at around £12million and believe the Amsterdam outfit would be prepared to sell.

ALEXIS SANCHEZ

Amid Manchester United's desperate need for added quality out wide, it's been widely reported that the Red Devils are in the race to sign Barcelona winger-forward Alexis Sanchez.

The 25 year-old has been in strong form this season to find 21 goals and 15 assists in 54 appearances, including this wonder-strike against Atletico Madrid...

//www.youtube.com/embed/REmlUllpLKk?autoplay=1

But the feeling at the Nou Camp is that the Chile international hasn't progresses as expected following his move from Udinese in 2011, where he was previously considered to be one of the brightest prodigies in world football.

Resultantly, and with Barcelona planning a summer of wholesale changes, it's believed Sanchez will be offloaded this summer.

United are by no means his only suitors however, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus all expected to rival any interest from Carrington.

Here's a look at Sanchez's best ten goals for the Catalans:

//www.youtube.com/embed/73zskaCNbrw