Of the players on the transfer wish-list that Louis van Gaal has reportedly handed to the Manchester United top brass, Arjen Robben has to be the most exciting. The Red Devils have lacked cut and thrust down the wings for last 12 months. Bringing in somebody as notoriously tricky as Robben could prove to be just the tonic.
According to The Metro, Arjen Robben is as the ‘top’ of Van Gaal’s wish-list. The source also suggests that his current club, Bayern Munich may be willing to let him go for as little as £25m.
I don’t mean to suggest that that’s a small sum of cash, but it’s relatively paltry given Robben’s reputation, experience and goal-scoring threat.
In fact, the only thing that really stands in the Dutch wing-wizard’s way is his age. At 30-years-old, he’s no spring chicken and the next contract he signs will likely be the last big-money deal of his career.
As it happens, he’s still playing with a kind of youthful vigour. This season he’s played 44 times and found the back of the net on 20 occasions. That’s seven more goals than he scored last season. He’s certainly not losing his touch yet. The Dutchman has a reputation for being selfish, but he’s managed to accrue 17 assists this season – that doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s easy to see Arjen Robben making an instant impact at Old Trafford. He knows the Premier League (From his time at Chelsea), he’s supremely confident at the moment and he’s got all the flicks, tricks and feints necessary to leave opposition defenders with their heads in their hands.
It’s hard to believe that he could be available for as little as £25m, but if he is, then Manchester United need to jump at the opportunity. Perhaps Bayern Munich are looking to cash in whilst the player is still valued highly?
He’d represent a serious step-up on the likes of Nani, Ashley Young, Shinji Kagawa and Antonio Valencia. He may even be good enough to guide Manchester United to a top four finish. Let’s hope that this one goes ahead.
What’s your take? Could The Red Devils really be about to sign Arjen Robben?
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
As you said, he’s 30 years of age. Football is still a business, £25m for someone who has few years left of his career, and no sell on is ridiculous. Signing him could also jeopardise the kroos/muller deal. Yes he is a fantastic player, but never pay £10m+ for an over 30 player. It’s haemorrhaging money that could be spent on young wingers that will be as good, Memphis depay, viktor Fischer, or someone who is as good but a lot younger, reus. This would be an unnecessary signing and van gaal must know that, his intent must be set on; kroos, Vidal, strootman, carvalho, shaw, Hummels. Get in a young striker/winger or two, two of the aforementioned midfielders, shaw and a highly rated 27> centre half.