As reported by The Mirror, Manchester United are set to cash in on Daley Blind this summer despite recently extending his contract by another year.
What’s the story?
Blind has struggled to find regular first team football at United this season, either because he wasn’t in Jose Mourinho’s plans or more recently because of an ankle injury.
The Red Devils though chose to take up the option of a year’s extension on his current contract.
The Mirror report however that the extension was only so they could recoup some of the £14m fee spent on him when he joined in 2014 and will listen to offers for him when the transfer window opens this summer.
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Will they miss him?
It’s clear that Mourinho doesn’t need Blind to achieve his aims at United and while he’s proven to be a useful squad player this season, he’s only made five Premier League appearances.
Unlikely then that they’ll miss him too much but at 27 years of age, he has plenty to offer other Premier League sides or even top continental clubs.
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Rated at £18m by Transfermarkt, he would be a bargain in today’s inflated market. With 139 appearances for United and 143 more for Ajax, he has extensive experience of both domestic and European football.
His hard working displays have won plaudits from supporters and his ability to carry the ball from defence into midfield and deliver dangerous crosses would benefit many clubs, as would his versatility to play a number of positions.
After being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford all summer, Angel di Maria is finally a Manchester United player.
United fans are already boasting that they’ve signed one of the world’s best players, and they aren’t wrong.
Di Maria had 17 assists in La Liga last season, more than any other player in Europe’s top leagues. He can score, create, and dribble past opponents with ease… but at £59.7million, is he worth it?
Will Di Maria be similar to Mesut Ozil for Arsenal? The Gunners paid £42million for the German’s services and although acknowledged as a great player, has he really lived up to the hype?
With that in mind, here are SIX REASONS Angel di Maria is a waste of money.
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He doesn’t fit Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system
All the talk during Manchester United’s pre-season was the Dutch manager’s intent on playing the successful 3-5-2 system that resulted in the Netherlands making it to the World Cup semi-finals.
And although United’s first two league games didn’t go as planned, it is very likely Van Gaal will stick with the formation for the time being.
This brings into question how the coaching staff will utilize Angel di Maria, who (as a winger) is too attack minded of a player to play wing-back. At Real Madrid he was deployed as a central midfielder to great effect, but Real had the composure and tenacity of Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric behind him.
If he does play in the middle with two other central midfielders supporting him, then there will be a problem for…
Juan Mata may be forced out to accommodate Di Maria
Juan Mata was United’s record signing just seven months ago, but may now be facing competition from one of the world’s best attacking players in Di Maria.
If Van Gaal is looking to stick with two strikers, then it would be impossible to accommodate Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata, and Angel di Maria in the same front line. Unless Di Maria plays wing-back (decreasing his effectiveness), the player most likely to be dropped is the £37.1million Spaniard.
And rationally speaking if Mata is the one cut, then the Red Devils may not be wasting Di Maria’s £59.7million fee, but the former Chelsea star’s £37.1million instead.
If Mata isn’t dropped, then someone else will be
It has been reported recently that Louis van Gaal could change his formation to accommodate his new signing.
The best other option is to go with a 4-2-3-1, with Di Maria on one of the flanks and Mata sitting ‘in the hole’ behind a striker. But who will that striker be?
With Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, Van Gaal has at his disposal two world class strikers that are too talented to be on the bench.
One of them will have to make way to full make use of Di Maria’s abilities, or the United boss can revert to a solution both David Moyes and Alex Ferguson used in the past without much success…
To use all four stars, Rooney must play midfield… again
Wayne Rooney is undoubtedly one of the most gifted and passionate footballers on the planet.
He is willing to play anywhere for his team, but his performances and statistics show that the England captain is most effective when deployed as a striker.
Not only does he produce more, but it is quite easily recognizable when Rooney is unsatisfied playing further down the pitch.
The team-sheet would be one of the scariest on paper, but without a strong spine to support this attacking line-up it will just end in further disappointment for United fans.
Di Maria is not the player United need
What is going on in the Manchester United boardroom is bewildering.
They’ve known since February that club captain and defensive stalwart Nemanja Vidic was heading to Inter Milan, and that they would not be renewing long-serving veteran Rio Ferdinand.
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They also realized that Marouane Fellaini wasn’t the answer to their struggling midfield, as well as having a whole season to see that Tom Cleverley and Anderson were way below par for United’s standards.
While they did fill the vacancy left by Patrice Evra with Luke Shaw and partly fixed their midfield deficiency with Ander Herrera, they have not managed to purchase a world class defender and an all action defensive midfielder.
Basically there are so many options better than signing a winger/attacking midfielder, which happen to be cheaper on the market.
There were cheaper/better options than Di Maria
Angel di Maria for £59.7million tore the British transfer record, held by (you’ve guessed it) Fernando Torres for £50million.
Manchester United have quite frankly overspent on players all summer. Luke Shaw was a £30million buy from Southampton… £30million! Chelsea paid only £2million more for Diego Costa, who has already scored two goals in two games… while Luke Shaw is struggling with fitness at his new club.
Even with less than £30million, Bayern Munich bought one of the best defenders in the world in Mehdi Benatia (also targeted by Man United) from Roma… for £24million.
Players that would be perfect for United are moving all over Europe at lower costs, but instead they spend a massive sum on a player they do not need.
Di Maria would definitely make them a better team, but unless Van Gaal can integrate him effectively, it won’t be enough to even challenge for fourth.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel is happy to stay at White Hart Lane for the foreseeable future despite his game time being limited this season.
Spurs signed highly rated French stopper Hugo Lloris in the summer and the new competition has wasted no time in impressing both Andre Villas-Boas and the Spurs fans with his outstanding individual displays.
Friedel captained the side in the Europa League in midweek and itseems that the majority of his game time will now come in secondary competitions with Lloris keeping goal in the Premier League.
The loan deadline closed for English Football League clubs last week and it was rumoured that Friedel’s former club Blackburn Rovers made a last gasp effort to bring the American back to Ewood Park but were unsuccessful.
Despite these rumours and slipping down the pecking order at Spurs, Friedel is happy to stay in North London as he is concentrating solely on Tottenham.
“I cannot answer questions (about a potential January move),” Friedel told Sky Sports.
“It’s all hypothetical. Right now I am a Tottenham player and I am very happy here.
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“I have no idea (about Blackburn’s interest). When I was apparently contemplating doing a medical I was at home having Thanksgiving dinner with my family.
“What happens between club and club a lot of times players don’t know. At the end of the day I am contracted to Tottenham and am concentrating on Tottenham.”
Kevin De Bruyne has become one of the Premier League’s star players since his move to Manchester City in 2015.
The Belgian international failed to make a name for himself at Chelsea during his spell between 2012 and 2014, but he has certainly found his stride at the Etihad Stadium.
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Last season, the midfielder was a key figure in City romping to the league title as he scored eight goals and created 16 assists.
It is highly unlikely that manager Pep Guardiola would entertain selling De Bruyne given how important he is to the team, but Liverpool fans think that their club should test City’s resolve.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255848″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Liverpool’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]
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During the build-up to Saturday’s Group G clash between Belgium and Tunisia at the World Cup in Russia, BBC One broadcast a clip of a young De Bruyne admitting that he supported Liverpool, his favourite player was Michael Owen and that he wanted to play for the Reds one day.
Instantly, fans flooded Twitter, urging manager Jurgen Klopp to back an audacious swoop for the midfielder.
Liverpool are interested in Lyon’s hotshot youngster Mohamed Bahlouli, according to France Football.
What’s the story?
As if a potential £45m deal with Arsenal for Nabil Fekir wasn’t enough to grease the Lyon coffers, the French side may now cash in on the rapid rise of the highly rated 18-year-old.
Lyon’s highly successful youth academy has already been frequented by Liverpool scouts eager to make a move for midfielder Houusem Aouar, but the Merseyside club appear now to be more tempted by his teammate.
According to the report, Lyon are concerned about keeping the young midfielder at the club, but they may struggle to dissuade Bahlouli from chasing the Anfield lights.
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Would Lyon’s loss be Liverpool’s gain?
Liverpool have a fine history of producing midfield talent from their youth academy, and with perhaps their finest graduate of the last 25 years Steven Gerrard now involved with Liverpool’s youth setup, no time seems better than the present for the Reds to be nurturing their talent in the middle of the park.
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If Bahlouli turns out to be anything like his idol Philippe Coutinho, whose five-year tenure at Anfield ended with him being sold for a record £142m to Barcelona in January, then Liverpool would be crazy not to swoop for him.
Reports yesterday revealed that Manchester United are considering repairing their leaking backline with a sunning £40m move for Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi. There’s no doubt that Louis van Gaal needs to do something about his rearguard in January, with week in/week out presence of Tyler Blackett testament to the lack of top quality options at the heart of his defence.
So, is Otamendi the right man? Well he’s a solid and dependable enforcer who has impressed with Porto, winning league titles and European honours. But let’s delve below the surface and find out a few things you may not know about the South American…
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CLICK ON THE MAN HIMSELF TO REVEAL THE SIX THINGS
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It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…
If you don’t already know the name and you played Football Manager from 2010 onwards then your scouting has been below par! The Argentine is an absolute beast on the legendary PC game, with his defensive attributes and low cost (£5m-£10m if you were lucky in FM 2010) making him a quick fix for any moderately sized club.
It seems the makers of the fiendishly addictive disk were spot on once again, with Otamendi having lived up to the hype in real life.
He can play at right-back
Although a centre-back by trade, Otamendi has proven in the past that’s he’s able to shift across the backline and fill in on the right flank. He may not be a dynamic wing-back, but his robust frame and reading of the game mean he could be an upgrade on the often naïve Rafael.
He can also function well as a member of a defensive three – which may be of use to Louis van Gaal – while there has been talk of fielding Otamendi in a defensive midfield role, where he would offer more of a shield than Daley Blind.
Chelsea & Man City are interested
Football – AS Monaco v Valencia CF – Emirates Cup – Pre Season Friendly Tournament – Emirates Stadium – 14/15 – 2/8/14Nicolas Otamendi – ValenciaMandatory Credit: Action Images / John SibleyEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
It’s not just Manchester United who are watching Otamendi, with reports having been circulating since last year that both City and Chelsea are interested. The Londoners are thought to have been scouting him for some time, with rumours having suggested that Jose Mourinho’s close ties with Porto – whom he used to play for – had set up a first option deal. City were also tracking the South American at the same time, but with the purchase of Elaiquim Mangala their desire to land him is now unknown.
He’s a full Argentine international
Argentina is a country known for its production line of decent defenders, which bodes well for Otamendi. The 26-year-old made his full debut in 2009 and has since won 16 caps, with the competition levels within the squad having limited his chances.
The rugged enforcer missed out on a spot in the 2014 World Cup squad, but he was present four years earlier in South Africa, where he put in a noteworthy performance against Greece.
He’s a little bit like David Luiz…
Well, he’s more of, to keep the Chelsea link going, a Luiz / Branislav Ivanovic hybrid. Otamendi is very much a front foot defender, and a player who loves to charge into tackles and move forward. Naturally this style can leave him exposed at times, which could be an issue which will surface now he’s away from Portugal – he’s only been at Valencia for a short time.
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Unlike Luiz, Otamendi is fairly defensively responsible, making him a solid and dependable option at the back when on form.
He cost Porto just £3.5m
//www.youtube.com/embed/PklPJIH8hVo
With United thinking of triggering his £40m release clause, it’s interesting to note that Porto paid just £3.5m for Otamendi in 2010. The Portuguese giants’ scouting network is known for producing results, and the sale of the Argentine on the back three league titles and Europa League success for £10m was yet another piece of great business.
Everton manager David Moyes believes that Marouane Fellaini will leave the club unless they can qualify for the Champions League.
The Belgian has been in fine form so far this season, which has led to interest from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
It appears the speculation may have turned his head, as last week he admitted he could leave the club at the end of the season.
Moyes conceded that he will not keep the midfielder against his will and believes that if the Toffees qualify for the Champions League he may stay:
“I am not in the mood now to keep the fight going all the time because we have had to do this with a lot of players,” He is quoted by The Independent.
“But Felli knows what I think and I think that more than anything he’d love to take Everton into the Champions League.
“But I think I have got to that stage at Everton where I say: ‘Look, we have lost some really good players but I don’t think it has stopped us progressing as a team.”
“In fact, people might say that Everton have lost good players but they have improved.
“We sold Joleon Lescott, we sold Mikel Arteta and, though we have felt really down when we lost those players, we have had to pick ourselves up and find others.
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“The club will always be bigger than any player or manager and the players we have brought in are showing that.”
It’s believed that Everton are holding out for a fee in the region of £30m for their star man.
According to reports in The Sun, Everton are ready to launch a £12m bid for exciting Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen, and the Tigers’ Yorkshire rivals Leeds United should be watching developments closely.
What’s the word, then?
The Sun say that new Toffees boss Marco Silva, who worked with the 21-year-old during his time in charge at the KCOM Stadium, is ready to push ahead with a bid for the prolific winger – who netted 14 goals in 42 league games for the Tigers last term – despite the fact that he has been told that he needs to sell before he can buy.
The Sun report that Hull are desperate to hold on to Bowen who has two years remaining on his current deal – with the option of a third – but the player is keen to player in the Premier League and a bid of £12m could be enough to convince the Championship club to let him leave.
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If the youngster did arrive at Goodison Park, he would likely be competing with the likes of Theo Walcott and Nikola Vlasic, rated at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, for a spot on his preferred right flank.
Why should Leeds be monitoring the situation?
Well, new Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa, who has been urged to sign a 26-year-old South American World Cup attacker, will be keen to strengthen his own squad this summer in order to ensure they are well prepared for a serious promotion push during the 2018/19 campaign, and he may well want some effective wingers for his preferred 3-3-3-1/3-3-1-3 formation.
While Vlasic made 19 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees last term, the majority of those came from the substitutes’ bench and the arrival of Bowen could push him further down the pecking order, and ensure he is loaned out to get more regular minutes.
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The 20-year-old is pacy and full of tricks, and he could prove to be a brilliant addition for the Yorkshire club in their bid to finally secure a Premier League return.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257599″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Leeds’ opening fixtures for the 201819 Championship season”]
According to reports by ESPN FC, Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo is not a £30m summer target for Paris Saint-Germain at present, despite various stories to the contrary.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Sun reported over the weekend that PSG were lining up a £30m bid for the Argentina international at the end of the season after negotiations over a new contract broke done, but ESPN FC claim that it is not the case that the Ligue 1 outfit are ready to make their move.
ESPN FC says that the French giants aren’t targeting any new players at the moment with manager Unai Emery’s future up in the air, and he could go if they fail to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League – they currently trail Real Madrid 3-1 after the first leg of their last 16 knockout tie.
However, the report adds that a place in the semis would add another 12 months to Emery’s contract, with the club also potentially having to sell players to stay in line with UEFA’s financial fair play rules.
How has Rojo done this season?
The 27-year-old only returned from a cruciate ligament injury in November, and since then he has been in and out of the team under Jose Mourinho, making 10 appearances in all competitions.
The Argentina international currently looks to be behind the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly in the central defensive pecking order at Old Trafford, and he missed the 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup on Saturday because of injury.
Would United listen to offers for him in the summer?
Considering he will only have a year left on his contract come June an offer of £30m may certainly be tempting for Mourinho and United, with the Portuguese boss almost certain to target a new centre-back and with him having plenty of options in that position.
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That said, the fact that the 27-year-old can play at the heart of the defence or as a left-back or wing-back certainly makes him a useful member of the squad, and one that Mourinho may not want to lose anytime soon.
Leeds were ultimately unable to hold onto the star man and top scorer of last term’s in the shape of Ross McCormack, as relegated top tier side Fulham flexed their financial muscles to pay £11m for his signature.
With 67% of the Yorkshire side’s goals having come from the Scot last season, his influence will be missed, and a replacement will likely be coming through the Elland Road doors in the not too distant future.
Here are six players who may be snapped up…
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Britt Assombalonga
23 goals in League One has seen Assombalonga attract Premier League interest in recent times, but the big step to the top tier is unlikely to be on the cards just yet. Play-off defeat may be enough to convince the 21-year-old to look for pastures new, and Leeds might well be able to offer him the level of ambition he would like.
//www.youtube.com/embed/HdLNdgV3DBs
Quick, strong and good in front of goal, the Zaire-born hit-man has the tools to be a top Championship forward.
Leonardo Pavoletti
//www.youtube.com/embed/go4osjriSbQ
With Leeds’ new-found Italian connections, it would be no surprise to see the club head to the country to snap up a fresh striker. One man to have earned rave reviews in Serie B has been Pavoletti, who is firmly in his peak at the age of 25.
With 24 goals in just 36 appearances last season, Pavoletti looks to have the touch of class in front of goal, and would surely be available for a fraction of £11m McCormack fee.
John Guidetti
Maybe an outsider, but Manchester city’s Guidetti is one to consider. Since rising to prominence a few seasons ago with a loan move at Feyenoord, the big Swede has struggled to get game time and to make a major impact.
A loan move to Stoke for the end of last term ended in disappointment, which would suggest that he’s not quite ready for the big time yet. A switch down to the Championship may give him the platform needed to gain some confidence and get himself in the shop window.
//www.youtube.com/embed/KfM8fjtxMvs
Sam Winnall
//www.youtube.com/embed/w5CdbgpVsdc
League Two to the Championship may be a bit of a leap, but with 23 goals to his name in the fourth tier, Winnall could have what it takes. The 23-year-old Scunthorpe man was in great form last season, and would surely be tempted by a big move to prove himself to Wolves – who sent him out on a series of loan moves before sanctioning his exit last year.
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Andrew Johnson
Ol’ AJ may have only managed 10 outings for play-off winners QPR last term, but if he could be kept fit he still has some life left at the age of 33. The former Crystal Palace and Everton hit-man is now a free agent after the jump to the top tier was deemed to large for him nowadays, so another year in the Championship and one last push to get back to the big time may be an option for him.
//www.youtube.com/embed/o2v_V5YmIrg
Shola Ameobi
Another released forward knocking round is Ameobi, The Nigerian was a part of the furniture at St James Park, notching over 300 first-team outings since his debut in 2000. The 32-year-old is likely to be ready to stay in English football, with the Championship a genuine option for him. Leeds could use his experience, and his technical abilities may well be more visible outside of the Premier League.