Would Manchester United be better off building for the future instead of signing Arjen Robben?
The big story in the transfer world today has been the fact that Manchester United are reportedly set to hand Louis van Gaal a £150 million war chest to continue his Old Trafford rebuild next summer, with Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben one of the eye-catching names linked with a move to Manchester.
SEE MORE:
Top scorers in Europe 2014/15
Balotelli charged by FA
Now into his thirties, however, Robben is not getting any younger and it is not clear how much longer he will have the acceleration to skip past players, something that underpins his game. We believe that United would be better off bringing in a younger winger and continuing to build a squad for the future, with these five being options that van Gaal would be well advised to consider:
Zakaria Bakkali (PSV Eindhoven)
Teenage PSV winger Zakaria Bakkali is one of the highest rated young prospects in European football, fleet of foot and with genuine end product. He is refusing to consider a new deal at PSV, however, meaning that he will be available on a free at the end of the season and has been demoted to the club’s reserve side.
Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
United would be well advised to look past Robben and to his Allianz Arena teammate Xherdan Shaqiri, with the Swiss international having all of the necessary quality but also most of his career ahead of him. The Swiss international would probably also cost less than his teammate.
Alexandre Lacazette (Olympique Lyonnais)
It is arguable whether explosive Lyon star Alexandre Lacazette is a forward or a winger – his best position is probably as an inside forward, using his pace and power to tear inside from the channels. This type of player is something that United really lack, meaning that Lacazette would be an intelligent buy if he is able to replicate his Lyon form in the Premier League.
Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven)
Bakkali is not the only exciting young wide man at the Phillips Stadion currently, with Dutch international Memphis Depay also impressing and very much in the mould of Lacazette – a quick, powerful player who is at his most comfortable cutting inside from wide areas to wreak havoc.
Julian Draxler (FC Schalke 04)
Perpetually linked with United’s fierce Premier League rivals Arsenal, Draxler has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in the Bundesliga over recent seasons. A tricky, rangy and creative player, it is time for Draxler to move on from Gelsenkirchen – and what better place than Old Trafford to launch his new career?