Should Man United be offering a Radamel Falcao permanent deal…
Manchester United are still debating whether to turn Colombia striker Radamel Falcao’s loan move into a permanent deal. According to The Sun, the Red Devils could sign the 28-year-old, who has scored one goal in five matches since arriving from Monaco, for £46m in the summer.
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However, Louis van Gaal could decide that they money is better spent elsewhere, especially considering the player’s £12.5m-per-year salary. It is thought United are unwilling to pay such a fee for a player of Falcao’s age, unless they are certain of him delivering.
With that in mind, here are five possible alternate routes United could take:
5) Javier Hernandez (Real Madrid)
If United don’t wish to spend a large percentage of next summer’s transfer budget on a striker, they could turn back to Mexican back-up Javier Hernandez, who appears to have rediscovered his form on loan at Real Madrid, for whom he has scored four times this season. United could then use the money saved to pursue other targets, particularly defensive ones, such as Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who would certainly go some way to solving their current issues in the centre back position.
4) Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
Another possible alternative for United, should they choose to ditch Falcao, is to join the chase for one of the most wanted men in European football, Marco Reus, who will be available for as little as £20m next summer due to a clause in his contract. For United fans, the prospect of seeing Angel di Maria, Juan Mata and Marco Reus in a trio behind either Wayne Rooney or Robin Van Persie must be a tempting one. It would certainly expand their attacking options, and allow Van Gaal to have several different approaches to games at his disposal.
3) Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germain)
A straight swap for Falcao, and a player without the Colombian’s worrying history of injuries. Cavani has spoken many times of his growing frustration at PSG, where he regularly plays second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, despite his lack of game time his scoring record is still impressive, with seven goals so far this season. The Uruguayan also has all the capabilities to make him a top Premier League striker – with pace and strength, strong in the air, and a good finisher.
2) Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
A long-term Manchester United target, who escaped the club’s big-spending clutches in the summer transfer window, electing to sign a new contract with Bayern Munich instead. However, if United have a budget to spend and are able to secure a return to Champions League football this season, they could return with an improved offer. The German World Cup winner has been one of Europe’s most consistent forward players over the last five years, and the Red Devils would love to add him to their squad.
1) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
The French forward has been in formidable form so far this season, scoring ten goals already this season for the Spanish giants. After a slow start to life in Madrid, Benzema has established himself as the club’s number one centre forward, as well as proving himself to be one of the best number nines in world football. It is believed United came close to signing Benzema from former club Lyon back in 2009 – and have remained keen on him ever since. If Van Gaal wants a ready made forward who will come in and score goals, they need not look any further.
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