Will he or won’t he? Is Kagawa going to Manchester United and would he be a good signing?

Manchester United fans have been calling out for some midfield reinforcements for almost a year. It’s clear that they are a little short creatively in the centre of the park and that the club needs to redress the balance in some way. Paul Scholes’ return helped to ease the burden on players like Michael Carrick (who has excelled this season but probably doesn’t have the attacking flair necessary to lead United’s midfield). It finally looks as though Sir Alex Ferguson has made his move.

Borussia Dortmund president Michael Zorc confirmed on Thursday that midfielder Shinji Kagawa would not remain in the Bundeslida next season: “Shinji is going to play in England because he has officially rejected our offer of a new contract”.

Kagawa then took to TV Osaka to discuss his future: “May 12 will be my last game for Dortmund and then I will start a new chapter in Manchester United”. Manchester United haven’t offered any form of confirmation as of yet, but given that the player seems confident enough to announce the move publicly, it looks like a sure thing. [Edit: turns out that these quotes may not have come from Kagawa himself, as yet I’d say there’s a big question mark over his move].

So have Manchester United finally got the midfielder they’ve been crying out for? Is he good enough to improve this already solid side?

Being beaten by Man City home and away seems to have spurred Fergie into action. The Red Devils need new recruits, it’s just not clear if Kagawa is the right man for the job.

One thing’s for sure: he offers a genuine goal threat. He’s scored 28 goals in 69 games for Dortmund, a very healthy return for a midfielder. He has a Frank Lampard-esque ability for getting forward at the right moment and can apply a finish. He’s also got a winning attitude and has been vital to Dortmund’s consecutive title wins over the last two seasons.

At 23-years-old he’s still to enter his peak and this may be the best time to sign him. Dortmund know if they don’t sell him he can leave on a free next season. As a result they’ll have to let him go at a reasonable price.

But should Manchester United cough up if it means losing out on players like Wesley Sneijder or Luka Modric. My guy feeling is that Kagawa could end up being a Fergie bargain. Both Sneijder and Modric have had average seasons and yet still command astronomical price-tags. Scouring Europe it’s difficult to see who United could bring in at a reasonable price that would improve their squad.

Eden Hazard would cost a fortune and isn’t a central midfielder. Mario Goetze has signed a new contract with Dortmund.

Kagawa is hard-working, offensively effective and will provide plenty of goals. That doesn’t sound like a bad signing to me.

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