Manchester United close in on Borussia Dortmund midfielder as spending spree starts

Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

The German midfielder was in talks with United last year and has been frequently linked with a move to Old Trafford.

A deal has previously failed to materialise with Gundogan spending a year on the sidelines with a back injury.

However, United are not concerned by his past fitness problems and will look to finalise the switch this summer.

Gundogan's Dortmund contract is due to expire at the end of next season and the German club are eager to avoid a repeat of the situation that saw Robert Lewandowski leave on a free.

Arsenal and Manchester City have also been linked with the 24-year-old but could be pipped by United.

Boss Louis van Gaal has made no secret of his intention to strengthen his squad this summer in a bid to wrestle back the Premier League title.

PSV winger Memphis Depay is another player heavily linked with a switch, with United battling Liverpool and Bayern Munich for his signature.

Depay played under the Old Trafford boss with Holland at the World Cup but Van Gaal insists that does not mean he will necessarily pursue a deal.

"I don't discuss it with the media," he said. "I have lot of relationships with players. I can't buy all the players I've coached."