Manchester United are reportedly preparing to battle with Manchester City for the signing of Atletico Madrid playmaker Koke.
As reported by Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star, both sides are allegedly looking to offer a player-plus-cash deal to supplement the Spaniard's £44 million buyout clause. Anderson believes Juan Mata could be added to a lump sum to tempt Atletico, while Manuel Pellegrini could use unneeded striker Stevan Jovetic to lower the potential cost.
Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News confirms Koke was scouted by David Moyes last year. Luckhurst believes the 23-year-old "does not stand out as a probable Louis van Gaal signing simply because the United manager declined the chance to sign Toni Kroos—a similar player to Koke—in the summer."
Koke has provided 12 assists in 26 matches across La Liga and the Champions League this season, scoring three goals, per WhoScored.com. He is a classy player who can slot in anywhere across the midfield, the kind of individual who can make the difference with a key pass, smart dribble or creative piece of inspiration.
He is likely to become more prominent on the international scene with Spain in the next couple of seasons.
Indeed, legendary Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes Koke is "extraordinary," saying, "He has been marked out as the conductor of Spain's orchestra for the next 10 years," per Atletico's website (h/t Iain Rogers of The Independent).
It's difficult to say Koke is exactly what United need, particularly with Mata at the club. The Red Devils are suffering with a lack of physicality and desperately need a defensive midfield presence to mop up in front of an ailing defence. Van Gaal's back line must be addressed during the summer, as they continue to harm United's chances of making the Premier League's top four, per Squawka:
Although Koke would help lay on chances for United, more prominent problems need to be addressed. Granted, the club are failing to create numerous clear-cut chances during each match, but United's attacking players will see their shackles removed when they can trust the players behind them.
Koke's qualities can be viewed below:
Interestingly, Spanish newspaper Sport (h/t Jamie Sanderson of the Metro) has published a story suggesting the club are looking to sign former City defender Stefan Savic. Although Savic has proven his quality at Fiorentina, a £14.6 million deal for the player who endured an error-strewn Etihad Stadium tenure isn't likely to fill United fans with joy.
Luckhurst suggests the original source of the rumour "has a sense of humour," saying "Savic, we can all agree, is not the answer." Italian daily Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) indicates the defender is a "long-term target for Barcelona."
Van Gaal will certainly risk being mocked with such a signing, particularly if United fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.
The Dutch manager is currently finding himself under increasing scrutiny after the club's 2-1 defeat to Swansea—highlighted by Swans director Jonathan Van Zweden labelling him "arrogant," reported by Mike Walters of the Mirror—with United currently just one point clear in fourth.
It seems futile for United to try and swap Mata for Koke. Fans would most likely see the former receive a greater opportunity in the first team, having failed to start in the Premier League since Jan. 17, per WhoScored.com. If Van Gaal can't get Mata firing, it's unlikely Koke will make a huge difference when the problems lie elsewhere.
United's summer activities are likely to be exciting, wholesome and costly. While Koke would add world-class quality, Savic's previous Premier League displays leave too much uncertainty for United to snap him up.
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