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Manchester United will move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Marco Reus in the summer, using the German team's former playmaker Shinji Kagawa as bait, according to recent reports.

Matthew Nash of the Metro writes that David Moyes has specifically targeted the attacker as he looks to rebuild his squad after a tremendously disappointing campaign this season.

Nash explains that Kagawa will be used in a player-plus-cash bid to lure the German international to Old Trafford.

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United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward recently spoke of the rebuilding programme that the club will undertake in the summer, and Reus is viewed as a major part of that plan.

The North Wales Daily Post quotes Woodward saying:

The long-term strategy is to build a competitive squad that can challenge for trophies. We have the ability to do that. We can buy players to compete at the top level, which is what we should be doing. [...] We are focused on strengthening the squad. We will sell some. We wouldn’t look to churn a huge number but equally, we are not afraid of moving in the market in a way we haven’t seen in previous years. It has tended to be three sales and three purchases but it is possible we will do more than that.

Reus is considered one of the best players in the world and his acquisition would represent a statement of intent by Moyes.

The player has featured 21 times in the Bundesliga this season for Dortmund, with an excellent return of eight goals, and creating 58 chances, per Squawka.

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Kagawa returning to Dortmund would surely be approved by their manager Jurgen Klopp. Donald McRae of The Guardian had previously spoken with Klopp about Kagawa last year.

The German coach said:

Shinji Kagawa is one of the best players in the world and he now plays 20 minutes at Manchester United – on the left wing! My heart breaks. Really, I have tears in my eyes. Central midfield is Shinji's best role. He's an offensive midfielder with one of the best noses for goal I ever saw. But for most Japanese people it means more to play for Man United than Dortmund.

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Kagawa was originally brought to United by Sir Alex Ferguson as Wayne Rooney's potential heir apparent, to play in the No. 10 position behind Robin van Persie.

However, after the Liverpudlian signed a long-term deal with United, the Japan international is surplus to requirements.

The purchase of Reus would point toward a sea change in tactics for Moyes. Reus could play wide in a 4-4-2, but it is unlikely with Juan Mata now in the United squad that his signing would mean this.

Moyes could play a more dynamic 4-2-3-1 with Reus and Mata supplying both Rooney and RvP, which would surely see the goals flow once more for the Red Devils. However, it is questionable whether Reus would be attracted to Old Trafford at this time.

If he became available, then all the top teams in the world would likely attempt to purchase him, and United—almost certain to be out of the Champions League next term—could fall very quickly down the pecking order.

But as with Mata, Moyes has proved he can get his man on occasions, and the German would be a fine addition to the United squad.