Old Trafford side set to make big splash in the summer transfer market.
David Moyes is readying expansive moves in the summer transfer market having thus far failed to make a single major signing since taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson as manager of Man United.
CaughtOffside understands that Man United are in advanced talks with Real Madrid over a sensational move to re-sign Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo, with Bernabeu president paving the way for the 28 year old’s departure by focusing all his efforts on Tottenham winger Gareth Bale.
Moyes has been backed by his board to make an £80m offer for the Real Madrid star, who left Man United in 2009 for the same fee and has gone on to score an astonishing 201 goals in his four seasons at the La Liga side.
Perez is ready to listen to offers for Ronaldo due to the attacker’s steadfast refusal to sign a new long term contract and with two years left to run on his current deal the Spanish giants are well aware that his value will plummet the moment the summer transfer window slams shut.
Nike are also reportedly keen for such a deal to go through given their ties with the player and Man United and such a move would be a tremendous statement of intent from a club that is undergoing something of an uncertain period following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ronaldo spent six successful seasons at Man United prior to his move to Spain, during which time he won three Premier League titles as well as a Champions League crown.
Moyes is also ready to make a third offer for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, buoyed by comments made by new Nou Camp boss Gerardo Martino who has insisted that the decision over whether the Spaniard can make the move to Old Trafford is entirely down to the player himself.
Such a statement could well leave the 26 year old concerned about his importance in the Barcelona set-up and will lead to Man United making an offer of around £35m, having failed with earlier offers of £26m and £30m.
Barcelona are publicly stating their desire to keep hold of the former Arsenal man but are privately ready to accept a significant offer for a player they deem as something of a luxury. The Catalan club are keen to balance the books ahead of a move to bring in much needed defensive reinforcements, having already forked out £48m to bring in Brazilian Neymar.
Moyes wants to bring in a creative central midfielder who can help provide his side with move of a cutting edge as well as an added goal-threat and having failed with a push to bring in Thiago Alcantara, who opted to join his former boss Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, the Scot is keen to bring Fabregas back to the English top tier, well aware that the World Cup winner is a proven Premier League performer.
Fabregas has scored 29 goals and provided 32 assists in the course of his 96 appearances for Barcelona since his return to the club back in August 2011.
David Moyes will also launch a second bid for Everton left-back Leighton Baines, having seen a £12m offer turned down by his former employers last month.
The former Toffees boss knows just how much the 28 year old England man offers both in defence and attack and is desperate to persuade his former charge to force the issue by placing a transfer request that would greatly assist Man United as they prepare a bid in the region of £18m for the set piece specialist.
Everton have stated they are not willing to sell Baines to Man United but chairman Bill Kenwright may struggle to stick by this stance if an offer of real value is made and the player makes it clear he wishes to leave.
Baines has been a hugely consistent performer during his six seasons at Goodison Park but is perhaps ready to make the ‘step-up’ this summer, not least because a high profile move to Man United could help to unseat rival Ashley Cole in the England starting eleven with a World Cup finals tournament on the horizon.
Though Man United are in a financially stable state Moyes will be ordered to partly fund any of these significant moves in the transfer market by selling a number of first team squad members.
Moyes will seek to secure as big a fee as possible for Wayne Rooney, with Man United ready to sell the England man, though the Premier League title holders are reticent about selling to a domestic rival and will hope that a big money offer for the striker comes in from continent though may, at a push, accept offers of £40m and above from Chelsea, who are thought to be the front-runners in the pursuit of the star.
Veteran full-back Patrice Evra may also be on his way out as Moyes’s push to sign Baines is said to have angered the Frenchman though a move to re-sign for AS Monaco is now complicated by the fact that Claudio Ranieri has signed Eric Abidal from Barcelona.
Another player Moyes is ready to sell is ineffective Brazilian Anderson, who has failed to make a consistent impact in the Man United first team over the past couple of seasons, and there is said to be interest from both FC Porto and Benfica whilst Everton are also considering making an offer for the 25 year old.