Though it was never planned this way, I think Manchester United have played an effective long-game in the transfer market over the last couple of seasons.
Fans have been crying out for the club to sign a top, young, talented, creative midfielder, but nobody has been brought in just yet.
Naturally, United have got by perfectly fine as they are, but this hasn’t stopped fans from breaking into cold sweats at the thought of another summer without a major midfield addition (I’m not sure Shinji Kagawa counts as a ‘major’ signing, though I’m hoping to be proved wrong next year!)
What’s this long-game I referred to? Last summer, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain battled it out for Brazilian youngster, Lucas Moura. The midfielder ended up moving to Paris on the back of a 44.3m euros move.
This is crazy money and I’m glad United steered clear. Injury problems have held Moura back at PSG and he’s contributed little more than a couple of assists and a couple of goals.
It may be remarked that PSG spent big on Moura’s potential, not on his current standing in the game. This, I think, is a moot point. Thiago Alcantara, United’s current midfield transfer target has equal levels of potential, but has already proven himself playing for Barcelona and the Spanish U21s (which he led to victory in the recent European Championships).
United were right to wait for somebody better and more affordable to turn up. It’s a gamble that Sir Alex Ferguson made, that is now paying dividends for new-boy, David Moyes.
According to ESPN, who quote Manchester United sources, a deal for the Barcelona youngster is now ‘very close’. This is an exciting position for the club to be in.
The player himself has had to make do with being a bit-part player at the Nou Camp. By moving to Old Trafford, he’d be giving himself a new opportunity to prove himself.
He’d also be the most attacking-minded player in United’s midfield and a lot of the creative onus will be placed on him. This certainly wasn’t the case at Barca and I believe this additional responsibility will bring the best out of him.
Barcelona won’t want to lose another talented young player, but if there’s no room for him in the first team, they my have to. Here’s hoping United can profit from their lapse in judgement.
What’s your take? Would you like to see Thiago Alcantara at Old Trafford?
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man u had lost crucial games in the past b’se of lack of creativity in midfield. having thiago & his creative force ‘ll b great
Offcourse,thiago is atalented young lad who will add steem to our mid-field that is short of creativity. Pliz moyes cut the deal before the end of this week.