Why Manchester United should make this man his main summer transfer target:

Sir Alex Ferguson has always liked a talented winger. This goes back to Ryan Giggs, but it’s a thread that is also linked to players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani. He understands how important it is to have ‘threat’ down the wings. That’s surely the reason why he’s already wrapped up a deal for Crystal Palace’s remarkably gifted Wilfried Zaha.

The sprightly English International will be an excellent addition for this Manchester United side, but I’m sure Fergie won’t stop there.

Ryan Giggs isn’t getting any younger (even though he seems to be as good as ever). Ashley Young doesn’t look like he has the quality to make it at Old Trafford in the long-term. Antonio Valencia looks to be half the player he was last season. And Lord knows what has happened to Nani.

With this much uncertainty down the flanks, perhaps signing another winger would be a smart move on Sir Alex’s part. And who better to go after, than FC Porto’s dynamic talent, James Rodriguez? According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United watched the Colombian International face-off against Rio Ave last Saturday and are weighing up a move for the 21-year-old.

Rodriguez is considered to be one of the finest young talents in world football and according to the Mail, has three nicknames: the ‘new Carlos Valderrama’, the ‘South American Cristiano Ronaldo’ and ‘the new Nani’.

Whilst I’m not so sure about that last one, he’s being compared to some quite fantastic players and clearly has talent to burn. This must be why he already has a £36m price-tag, despite being something of a spring-chicken.

Despite all the high praise, it has to be noted that £36m is a heck of a lot of money for a player that’s untested in a top League. FC Porto will doubtless battle the player’s suitors tooth and nail, to try and prevent his exit from the club.

But Sir Alex has shown before that he’s willing to get scrappy in the transfer market. £36m is the price that’s reflected in Rodriguez’s release clause, but that doesn’t mean that United can’t hash out a better deal for the player.

Whether this is done by including a ‘sell-on clause’, a ‘swap deal’, or some kind of commercial deal with FC Porto, doesn’t matter. As long as United get their man, the fans will be happy.

Besides, you get the feeling that James Rodriguez is worthy of his price-tag.

What’s your take? Should Sir Alex really be pursuing this rather expensive youngster?

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