United To Spend Another £50m AFTER Lucas Moura Joins?
What are we supposed to make of this summer? Frustrating years have gone by since we last truly flexed our financial muscle in the market and made a huge statement of intent. Granted, some of the ‘lesser’ signings that we have made have turned out to be absolutely fabulous bits of business (Nemanja Vidic and Tony Valencia stand out in this respect) but it’s been over ten years since we went out and signed Veron and Van Nistelrooy in the summer and Forlan the subsequent January.
Now, if reports are to be believed we’ve finally wrapped up a deal for Lucas Moura, a Brazilian kid who reminded me of a cross between David Bellion and Theo Walcott for the 20 minutes I watched him against Team GB. The fee being touted is £26m, which is more than we’ve spent on any one player since we dropped £33m on Berbatov from Spurs.
Perhaps the most amazing part of this story is that we’re probably not done in the transfer market thereafter. We’ve already spent good money on Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell but it appears we’re at least semi realistic about signing Robin van Persie, Moussa Dembele and Leighton Baines too. That trio would cost £50 minimum, and push our summer spending out towards the £90 million mark.
Of course, given the years of chronic underspending we have just sat through, this shouldn’t be seen as a sign that we’ve lost our financial marbles. The season we sold Ronaldo we made a £67 million profit on transfers, with only Valencia, Diouf and Obertan commanding fees when coming the other way. We are STILL in profit from this one deal. We also haven’t finished our business for the summer on the other direction, with rumours of Nani’s exit still knocking about.
Does this show that the Glazers have finally realised that the squad needs investment to remain competitive and, if so, why isn’t Fergie strengthening the midfield? Does he see huge talent in Cleverley, Lingard and Powell that suggests that we don’t need to? Are the Glazers simply protecting their investment? Are the two exactly the same thing?
Regardless, if we end up landing all four of these players, it will be one of the most exciting, if baffling, transfer windows we have ever witnessed from Fergie.
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It’s definitely a far cry from recent summers where we have hardly dipped our toes into the transfer market.
I’m not convinced by Moura – not talent-wise – just not sure where he would fit. How many brazilians have made a big impression in the premier league? Seems a lot of cash and a big risk to me.
We need a midfield workhorse who can play a bit. People say that role is dead but I don’t agree. Look at Busquets in Barça. Great feet and touch but well able to put himself about. Just look at his role in the World Cup and Euro’s for Spain plus his role at Barça. De Rossi also fits this category.
Call me deluded but I think this Lucas deal is vital for the club. Now many fans have said we should get him but the fans who thought about it said “where will he play?” Now i’ve noticed that many United fans have gotten way to caught up in formations in the past few years and because of this they think that certain players should not come to the club. Back in 2008 when we had Roo, Ron, Tevez and Berba people weren’t saying how can we play with 4 strikers because we were playing great football and I think this is what Sir Alex is trying to get back to. This kid is a supreme talent who can become a dynamic force for our club and the partnerships that would be formed between Rooney, Kagawa, Welbeck and Lucas could be like we were back in 08. So if Sir Alex does get this deal done don’t be skeptical on where everyone will fit as this puts limits on our attack.
So what I’m trying to say really is that RIGID FORMATIONS ARE DEAD and that having dynamic players who can create and score goals is the future of football.
I think Ferguson is talking about Lucas to get Nani to sign his contract. Lucas will only be bought if Nani leaves.