Five facts about Manchester United transfer target Shinji Kagawa

Manchester United have been strongly linked over the last 48 hours with signing the Japanese playmaker.

Here is a neatly compiled treasure of information about the Borussia Dortmund player who could join compatriot Ryo Miyaichi in making waves in the Premier League.
 

1) Kagawa is 23-years-old and is already a national champion in Germany, winning the Bundesliga title with Dortmund last year.

2) After finishing the 2009 season in Japan as the top scorer in the J-League he was signed from Cerezo Osaka for the bargain price just £275,000.

3) Kagawa is a playmaker, or attacking midfielder who play play at the tip of a midfield diamond or as the further forward central player in a 4-5-1 formation.

4) His array of talents include his dribbing, his through balls, his eye for goal and ability to shoot from distance. He has scored a total of 15 times for Dortmund this season, while his professional career to date boasts 75 goals in over 160 appearances.

5) He is an idol in Japan, a star which will only increase tenfold if he joins Manchester United, one of the country's most popular overseas teams. He has played 29 times for his national team, scoring nine goals. Playing for his country last year he suffered a broken metatarsal, the injury made infamous by David Beckham.

So why have United suddenly been linked with his signature? It has been reported that Kagawa is stalling on signing a new contract with Dortmund. His current deal expires in 2013, meaning if the Germans do not sell him this summer they risk losing him on a free next summer, a risk they are unlikely to want to take.

The Mail has reported that Kagawa has been given two weeks to decided on a 'take it or leave it' offer to double his wages- with Dortmund's sporting director publicly stating the star has been 'flirting' with clubs in England and Spain. Chelsea are also believed to be interested and Arsenal have been linked in the past, but United are considered to be frontrunners. Due to his contract situation a deal could be struck for between £10 million and £15 million.