According to sources, Manchester United are reportedly willing to offer £30 million for Atletico Madrid’s Spanish sensation Koke as soon as the transfer window opens next week. Koke has hit the headlines with some audacious performances for the Madrid side this season. He was one of the main stars in the European U-21 Championships winning side last summer, and he has been elevated to the senior squad, taking part in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Here are three reasons why United should break the bank to bring Koke to Old Trafford.

1.     Quality in Central Midfield

With Marouane Fellaini out for two months, David Moyes is desperate to get a box to box midfielder, and finally replace Paul Scholes, whose vision is still firmly missed at Old Trafford. Fellaini has struggled to find his feet, and following summer pursuits of Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera and Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas, it is clear that the Scot is looking for a cultured attacking midfielder to complement the burly Fellaini and neat-and-tidy Michael Carrick.

Koke is certainly a player who fits the bill in that respect. Despite the heroics of Atletico this season, the bright lights and extraordinary pay packets of the Premier League might be difficult to turn down for the young Spaniard.

2.     Creativity

Having made his debut at the Camp Nou at the tender age of 17, Koke’s recent rise to prominence has coincided with Atletico Madrid’s renaissance under Diego Simone. Koke has really started to catch the eye for Los Colchoneros, typically playing from the left-hand-side of a midfield four.

Whilst he has impressed from a wide position this season, he is expected to eventually star in an orthodox central midfield position. He has made a total of 17 league appearances this season and has scored 3 and created 8 goals. With almost 2.2 key passes per game, he’s got the vision to carve open defenses. It’s just the sort of creative spark the current United midfield is lacking.

3.     Long-term buy

If Moyes and United can facilitate a deal for Koke, who is a supremely talented young player, then he can be a hugely important player for the team for years to come. Of course, Atletico would be reluctant to sell. However, they have regularly moved on their star players with a view to paying off some debts and reinvesting in the squad. £30 million for a young player might be too tempting a sum to turn down.

Of players courted linked with a move to United in the January window, including Southampton skipper Adam Lallana and Borussia Dortmund attacker Marco Reus, Koke seems to be the most likely and the most attainable target. He would bring plenty to a toiling Red Devils’ midfield despite the fact that he is still young and still learning at the top level. Already a class act, there is seemingly no cap on how good he could become and when one looks at this potential deal from a long-term perspective, £30 million may just turn out to be an astute piece of business.