Blues want the Gabonese forward Pierre Emerick Aubemeyang…
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Granted, Luke Shaw is an exceptional talent, and if he fulfils it, and spends much of the next decade at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s £33m deal to sign him could be sensible business.
However, the fee is astronomical, making the 18-year-old Englishman the most expensive teenager of all time, and the second most expensive Englishman ever behind £35m Andy Carroll.
Here are five stars who are arguably currently better equipped to step straight into the United side, who would have been considerably cheaper.
5) Marcelo – Real Madrid
Marcelo is already the world-class left-back United hope Shaw will turn into, and according to reports, he could be available for £24m – with Liverpool heavily interested. The Brazilian is only 26-years-old, meaning he’d have plenty of time at Old Trafford to pay back the fee. For £9m cheaper than the teenager, it would seem like a far more sensible piece of business – although questions have occasionally been raised regarding his defensive nous.
4) Ricardo Rodriguez – Wolfsburg
If United were chasing a talented left-back who could contribute both defensively and offensively, they could have done far worse than plumping for Wolfsburg’s excellent 21-year-old. In the Bundesliga last term, he assisted nine goals (more than any defender in Europe) and pitched in with five himself. What’s more, he’s currently the statistically highest rated left-back at the World Cup as well. It’s very unlikely that he’d cost anywhere near the £33m Shaw will, too.
3) Alberto Moreno – Sevilla
Full Spanish international, available for £18m. Moreno’s path and progression to top flight football is actually very similar to Shaw’s – although the former didn’t quite make his country’s World Cup squad. He’s stocky, quick, and extremely hard working – and they’d be saving £15m by saving him instead, and irritating long-term admirers Liverpool in the process.
2) Filipe Luis – Atletico Madrid
The Brazilian has a £19m release clause, which Chelsea are expected to pay in the coming weeks to secure his signing. This is a real bargain for a defender who was, by all accounts, the top left-back in La Liga last term, and arguably the best in the position in the Champions League as well. His composure on the ball and positioning would be a real asset.
1) Marcos Rojo – Sporting Lisbon
Rojo starts for Argentina on the left of defence, and his talent is no secret – with Liverpool, Barcelona and AS Monaco all competing for his services. The reported £12m fee seems like a serious bargain as well, and financially, would make far more sense than the Shaw deal.
