According to German newspaper Bild, Manchester United are set to swoop for Borussia Dortmund’s Japanese International Shinji Kagawa when the transfer window re-opens in the summer. Whilst Mario Goetze has captured most of the limelight in the centre of Dortmund’s midfield, he’s spent much of the season sidelined by injury. Kagawa has stepped up to fill the void with remarkable confidence.
Known for his energy, quick passing and dynamism Kagawa is an attacking minded midfielder who often winds up on the score-sheet. In 68 appearances for Dortmund he has scored a remarkable 28 goals – there are some strikers who would kill for those kind of statistics. It’s fair to say that Kagawa has been an essential part of Dortmund’s double-winning Bundesliga side. He’s no slouch at International level either, scoring 9 goals in 29 games.
Speaking to Bild earlier this season, Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc seemed resigned to losing the player:
“We would love to extend to his contract, but the ball is in his court. We know that he fancies a move to England or Spain. The question is at what point in time.”
Kagawa’s current contract runs out in 2013, so if Dortmund can’t get him to sign a new contract, they may be willing to let him go on the cheap this summer instead of losing him on a free the following year. GiveMeFootball rate him at £15m which would be a fair price for somebody who has proven himself to be a goal-scorer at every level of the game.
Despite their success this season, it’s clear that Manchester United’s midfield could still use some work. Without being able to rely on Paul Scholes next season, they’ll need to add a little more attacking endeavour. To that extent Kagawa would be perfect.
He’s only 23-years-old and has the peak years of his career ahead of him. United would do well to strike now and pick him up on the cheap, rather than wait for another club to tempt him away from Dortmund. A move to England or Spain beckons, all that remains to be seen is to where.
He may not be the big money signing many fans are clamouring for, but he may well be the right man for the job.
What’s your take? Would you like to see United spend big on a midfielder or would Kagawa make a good addition?
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