This week brings the news that Manchester United are reportedly after the signature of 23 year old Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan, with the player’s agent stating that the teams had held informal talks. Much talk has been made recently of United’s apparent need for a creative midfielder, and the young Argentine seems to be the latest to incur speculation. With first hand experience of playing against him in the Champions League this season, Ferguson knows how effective Gaitan can be and was supposedly impressed with his performances. So does this leave the gateway open for a possible move in the near future?
For starters, the potential of Benfica’s hottest talent hasn’t gone unnoticed, and if United were to make a serious offer, they would have to be tabling around close to £30million, if not meeting the reported buyout clause of his new contract close to £40million. Gaitan’s agent is Jorge Mendes, the same man responsible for bringing Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson and David de Gea to Man United. Sir Alex said recently that he will not be pushed into ‘panic buying’, such is always the way with the United manager. But he did say that he would not buy, ‘unless someone appears we have always been interested in’. How long he has actually been on the radar is unknown, but if United were to attmpt to bolster their midfield with a new face in the near future, Nicolas Gaitan appears to have many of the required attributes to fill the role.
After moving to Benfica in the summer of 2010, Gaitan enjoyed a properous season in Portugal. Although they finished 2nd in the League, a massive 21 points behind Porto, Nicolas was an influential figure in his team’s Champions League qualification, scoring 7 goals in 26 games. Benfica are currently joint top of the Primeira Liga on goal difference and, since his 8million Euro move from Boca, his value has almost tripled.
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The promise and improvement that Nicolas is showing in his game is being recognised and before long may be calling him away from Portugal. He has already admitted that he would be willing to join Manchester United and, although currently committed to Benfica’s Champions League run and domestic title race, you can’t see him staying out of one of Europe’s top divisions for much longer.
I think that Gaitan has a lot to offer United in a position which is undoubtedly weak in comparison with their rivals at the moment, particularly with the absence of Anderson and Cleverley through injury. The young Argentinian has energy, skill and great technical ability that would serve him well in the Premier League, where players with quick feet and the ability to shift the ball around midfield quickly often have a great chance of impressing. He has the creative mentality and confidence that United need when going forward, with the promise of being involved with attacks and the threat of scoring goals.
I think any transfer for Gaitan is, however, more likely to happen in the summer. Whether Manchester United can nail down an agreement now or not, I can’t see it going through in January. Not only does Ferguson seem reluctant to splash this kind of cash to make additions now, Nicolas has his own focus on Champions League football this season and seeing Benfica’s campaign through. Last year the fans were particularly aggrieved at the departure of Angel di Maria and won’t want a repeat of that scenario with Gaitan. I don’t think he has the problem of first team football to worry about at United, as he would most probably command a place in the starting eleven, but the pressure and change in style of play might also be too much to introduce him at a crucial point in the middle of the season. I don’t think that he would be a realistic addition to Fergie’s team now, but in the summer he will almost certainly be in contention for a big money move.
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