Lucas's Robbie Fowler impression was winner in the dressing room
It’s been a strange Summer for Manchester United, one in which the headline “Bebe saves United’s blushes” actually appeared on several newspapers and wasn’t some form of p*** take.
Not only has the formerly homeless Portuguese legend been saving the Reds from the embarrassment of losing to a side that didn’t even manage the top six in South African football last season, we’ve also seen United being not only linked, but actually putting bids in for two big name stars.
Last Summer we saw David De Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones, sign for the Reds before Wayne Rooney had even had chance to revisit the barbers with his new barnet. While United’s speed in securing their targets was welcome, there wasn’t really a big surprise in any of them coming to Old Trafford, the rumour mill hadn’t even had a chance to warm up before all three were posing with United shirts declaring war on City. Sort of.
This season though, after the predictable, but by no means unwelcome acquisitions of Nick Powell and Shinji Kagawa for a combined fee of around £20 million, United have suddenly upped the ante by going after two of the biggest stars in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie is one of the most coveted strikers in Europe with a goalscoring record -particularly in recent seasons- that Andy Carroll can only dream of. A few days ago, if someone had suggested RVP coming to OT I would’ve laughed at the very idea- in fact I did and dedicated practically an entire article as to why I just didn’t see it happening. While I still don’t see the Dutchman coming to United, it would be foolish of me to deny it’s at least a possibility.
United have reportedly bid £15 million for the former Feyenoord man, which was quickly rebuffed by Arsenal who are after something closer to the £30 million mark, again if reports are to be believed.
As if this revelation wasn’t enough to make United fans explode in a frenzy of conjectural ejaculation on every available social network, then came the news that United were trying to sign Brazilian wonderkid ‘Lucas’ Moura from Sao Paolo.
I’ll be the first to admit that I new absolutely nothing about the 19 year-old Moura until a few weeks ago, and still don’t know all that much, but when a young player is priced around the £30 million mark, he can’t be completely rubbish. Unless of course he’s Andy Carroll.
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that United’s interest in Lucas is very real and despite what some newspapers, well one, reported, a deal has yet to be agreed for the talented winger. The problem seems to be the age old one of United’s valuation having a semblance of reality while the selling club want at least £10 million more than they should because, a) we’re dealing with United here and b) we haven’t got a lot of players to sell for over £20 million so we better get the most we can for the ones we do. Oh and you can even add on c) the player’s entitled to a large chunk of the fee as well.
It may take United a bid of £30 million or more to bag the Brazilian, while to prise Robin Van Persie from Arsene Wenger’s clutches could come in at around £5 or so million less, but would cost more in wages as the Dutchman seeks a bumper payday for what could be his last big contract.
Both players could feasibly end up costing around £100 million in transfer fees and wages, which is not exactly likely considering the Glazers are currently trying to sell shares to help alleviate the club’s massive debt.
Yes, it’s obvious there’s money to spend, but is there really £100 million of it? I very much doubt it.
If both Sao Paolo and Arsenal, decide to play hardball as they say in the colonies and/or in the case of RVP other parties -such as a certain Blue faction get involved then it may take that almost unthinkable sum to acquire both talents.
Sir Alex Ferguson may be faced with a simple yet difficult choice, go all out for one of them and get him. The question is “which one do you go for?” The one with a proven Premier League pedigree that’s also coveted by your main rivals, but has practically zero re-sale value, or the bright young talent, yet to be fully tested in England, who could be the next Ronaldo?
Personally I’d go for Lucas, but then again if City get Van Persie, it could be title number four…….
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I don’t think wage is a problem with Robin if Sky Italy reports is true that he agreed on € 5.5-6/year with Juve
Lucas Moura. But then pay Juventus the balance between their maximum bid for him and Arsenal’s minimum valuation of the player :-D. Just to stop him from ending up at City, that’s the only thing I can think of other than buying him. He goes to Juve’ or PSG, then well and good. But we seem to be the only realistic obstacle at the moment stopping him going to City because Arsenal aren’t going to budge on price even if money isn’t the reason Van Persie wants a move, so Van Persie’s personal preference aint going to matter during the bidding process. If City weren’t interested, I’m fairly sure we wouldn’t be to bothered either
we are probably 3rd in the race for RVP given City have the money and Arsenal would prefer to sell to Juve.
and i fear Lucas will become another case of no value in the market.
i hope i am wrong on both counts.
once again it seems like a summer will pass and all we will get are rumours or get a bid rejected.
SAF doesnt like to share transfer information and thats fine as long as we complete some deals. a coupe of weeks ago it was we are looking at signing one or two, he has said we need a LB and confirmed interest in RVP/Lucas. but nearly all Utd fans agree our no.1 target should be a combative midfielder.
I surpose Sir Alex ferguson go in for the Brazillian wonderkid lucas not minding RVP high goal record of last season. Things may not be the same with him come this season. And there is a huge need for United to strengthen their midfield!
I think man utd should spend more in central midfielder we should two more reserve player in that position rather than forward midfielder in that position we have A.young,nani,wellbeck also can play there i saw him in his loan spell at sunderland and rooney also can play.
Central creative midfield was important in man utd team because we have too many injuries that position. We got carrick and scholes,cleversly and anderson , powell and kagawa,fetcher is out who next now! If we want to win champion league and regain our crown in premier league we must strong our midfield so that we can fight big team like barcelona and man city these team have best strong midfielders.
SAF’s choice IS NOT between these 2 guys. His only priority must be a few decent defenders. Just what’s wrong with this old man? He doesn’t have a semblance of a decent defence as shown cruelly by ordinary teams like Blackburn, Everton, Newcastle, Wigan ( not to mention superpowers like Basel, Ajax, Bilbao and of course, painfully, Man City ). With Evans, Evra, Ferdinand, Rafael the scenario will repeat. Be aware, Utd fans. Dark days ( make it years, ask Liverpool ) may be ahead. SAF is stumbling along committing blunder after blunder.
To be honest, i cant understand why fans want RVP to united? No.. really.. Yes, he is a good player, with good last couple of seasons, but, let’s dont forget about other players like him, as an example – Torres. Torres played in liverpool when they weren’t on the top of their game and well, there was no one else to score. Arsenal is in the same situation and i really do think that amount of his goals from last season is not something that should shock somebody. Plus, he is 29 and he costs 25 million. I mean with the team that SAF is building now, it is pretty certain that team will play really fast football, where RVP doesn’t really fits. I mean is not that the reason why berba is sitting as a fourth (!!!!) striker now? And don’t give me stuff like he was bad last year and so on, cause whenever he was in the lineup, nearly every time he scored, additionally, lets face it – he couldn’t have been worse than hernandez was last year. And to summarize everything I’ll just add – I can’t stand the fact of gooner playing for us. I mean thats actually number one reason why I don’t want to see him and can’t understand others who want and ofc were moaning on nasri not joining us last year (yes, i was happy), I mean why would you (united supporter, cheer for rvp coming to united when our own danny will sit on the bench?). I don’t really care about former everton, aston villa, tottenham and other clubs players coming to us but city, arsenal and liverpool are in my forever ban list (i don’t mean that to any youngster players)..
and biggest thing – wenger is not an idiot. he will die before he lets rvp to united or shitty.
BOTH WILL JOIN UTD?
Moura deal’s off by the sounds of it.