Manchester United will look to finalise the signing of Daley Blind today, but there could be more changes at Old Trafford before the transfer window closes tomorrow.
Having seen his side labour to a goalless draw at Burnley yesterday, boss Louis van Gaal knows he needs quality additions if they are to fulfil their ambition of a top-four spot this season.
Having spent a British record £59.7 million (Dh364m) on Angel Di Maria, versatile Dutchman Blind will soon follow after Ajax accepted a £13.8m (Dh84.2m) offer.
Van Gaal, who worked with the 24-year-old when he was in charge of Holland’s national team at the World Cup, said: “He’ll come to Manchester to have a medical, and then we might have a new player.”
But United are not expected to stop their spending there as they pursue a defensive central midfielder. They have already signed midfielder Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao and Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, who are both currently sidelined with injury.
Another Argentine Marcos Rojo, who can also play on the left side, has also signed from Sporting Lisbon, but has yet to play due to work permit issues.
Van Gaal is hoping they will be resolved after the international break and Rojo will be able to feature against QPR on September 14.
But there will be outgoings from Old Trafford too with Tom Cleverley in talks with Aston Villa, Javier Hernandez linked with Juventus and Danny Welbeck a target for Spurs and Arsenal. Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa could also be heading back to former club Borussia Dortmund, but van Gaal would not confirm any deal as done yet.
“We’ll have to wait and see, because players are deciding [to leave] at the last minute, not the manager,” he said.
Meanwhile, City manager Manuel Pellegrini felt his side, who had started their title defence with comfortable wins over Newcastle and Liverpool, were off-colour in their surprise 1-0 home defeat to Stoke.
The Chilean said: “I think we were a very patient team, we tried to create space but Stoke defended very well, and we couldn’t create space. I think (in terms of ) the attitude of the players, we did all we could do but it was a bad day for the creative players.
“It was too easy (for them) the way they scored the goal in a counter-attack, from a corner in their own box and he ran 70 metres to score.
“In these games it is very important to be patient but it is more important not to concede. They defended always with 10 strong players behind the ball.”