Time To Spend Big - Man Utd’s Top Six Transfer Targets

Quite why the transfer window ‘slams shut’ a good two weeks after the Premier Leagues season commences is an enduring mystery. Wouldn’t it be neater if teams went into their first fixture with their wheeling and dealing done and dusted instead of facing a further of fortnight of squad rejigging, brinkmanship and desperately flinging money around to patch-up early season disappointments?

It’s a question that has never really yielded a satisfactory answer. The Premier League falls in line with the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFC) apparently but that doesn’t really clear up why Europe’s disparate transfer deadlines fall on the dates that they do. Nonetheless this rigmarole does now feel like a thoroughly institutionalised aspect of the Premier League season, inevitably inspiring the sort of reactive, urgent buying that would be far less likely if activity wasn’t driven by two weeks of competitive football.



It already looks likely that Manchester United’s start to the season will be accompanied by fraught big budget transfer speculation. Their deeply disappointing opening day defeat sparked instant demands that ‘top top’ players be drafted in at whatever cost and, despite the fanfare of Louis van Gaal’s arrival, a widely felt sense of déjà vu. United, one of the biggest teams in the world, have not been pulling their weight in the transfer market and the failings of last season will probably ensure that an act of ‘spending big’ whether justified or symbolic is now demanded.



So who are the big names that will sate the demands of the Old Trafford faithful and, in theory, improve Louis van Gaal’s squad?



Angel Di Maria

Betting odds on transfer to United: 8/11



The back pages of Monday’s papers blared out news of a £100 million splurge on the Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria. This would reportedly cover a £50 million fee and a five year £200,000 a week contract. Big bucks indeed and it’s hard not to wonder if United’s circumstances (lack of Champions League football, perceived desperation) have driven this, admittedly speculative, valuation. Di Maria is a quality player and it would be an overstatement to regard him as surplus to requirements at Real Madrid - even after Gareth Bale’s arrival he clocked up plenty of game time and provided a team-best 22 assists. Nonetheless the arrival of James Rodriguez has probably shifted him down the pecking order of world-class attackers at the Bernabeu and it’s not ridiculous to suggest that his departure wouldn’t significantly weaken Ancelotti’s team. 

Di Maria would definitely be improvement on United’s incumbent wide-forwards and, perhaps most importantly, he would represent a genuine ‘marquee’ signing, especially at that sort of attention grabbing price. It may be a stretch to describe him as one of the very best in the world in his position (United simply can’t attract the same level of players as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea or, whisper it, Man City right now) but he may very well be the very best player they can attract right now so, even if takes an inflated fee, it’s easy to see this move happening.



Arturo Vidal



Vidal has apparently been on the brink of a move to Old Trafford for most of the summer and looks like exactly the sort of all-action holding midfielder United need right now. The Chilean certainly wouldn’t come cheap (a fee in the same region as the supposed Di Maria deal would be likely) and with so much speculation swirling around – much of it somewhat contradictory - it’s hard to work out how likely this one is. We wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a will-he won’t-he saga stretched out until September 1st although the bookmakers’ odds of 1/10 suggest a deal will eventually happen.



Bastian Schweinsteiger



The bookies are offering surprisingly short odds on Schweisteiger moving to Old Trafford before the summer’s out and there’s no doubt that the German veteran would bring exceptional experience and quality to the heart of the midfield. With so many experienced players departing Old Trafford this summer Schweisteiger would add true gravitas to a squad that looks a bit short of character. He could be exactly the player van Gaal needs right now.



There’s been very little speculation linking the World Cup winner - currently out with a minor injury - with a move away from Bayern however and we struggle to see Guardiola letting such a talismanic and pivotal figure leave while he still has so much to offer.



Daley Blind



Like Vidal many are probably surprised that United haven’t wrapped up the signing of Daley Blind yet. The Dutch utility man has enjoyed good form for Holland under van Gaal and there has been a strong impression since the World Cup that it’s relationship the United manager is keen to maintain. 



Blind would be a solid rather than spectacular acquisition but his credentials are hard to argue with - he can play at right-back or in central midfield and, perhaps most importantly, knows van Gaal’s tactics.  Versatility and tactical intelligence are characteristics that could be vital in speeding up United’s transitional phase and while bigger names will be demanded Blind could be the most sensible acquisition of all.  



Marcos Rojo



Like Blind, Rojo is a player whose reputation has been enhanced considerably by a strong World Cup showing. Like Blind he is also a versatile player, capable of playing at centre back or let-back. This could make him an especially appealing prospect for van Gaal and a strong tactical addition if the Dutchman implements his favoured 3-5-2 formation. Rojo’s mooted transfer has been described as ‘complicated’ and could involve the temporary return of Nani to Sporting Lisbon in addition to a hefty fee. Betfair currently have as a 2/5 favourite to sign for United before September 2nd. 



Juan Cuadrado



The Colombian wide-man has been one of this summer’s most coveted players after an eye-catching season with Fiorentina and a strong World Cup showing but remains, for now, in Florence. Rumours suggest that the Colombian‘s preferred destination is Barcelona, a factor that may have complicated any potential move to Old Trafford, despite United’s apparent willingness to stump up the hefty fee Fiorentina are demanding. Which isn’t to say that United won’t still get their man, if a Barca deal doesn’t materialise Cuadrado might still fancy an Old Trafford switch and Fiorentina have shown signs that they may be willing to cash in if the price is right. That price is likely to be somewhere in the region of £40 million.