This summer saw the transfer of Argentine sensation Angel Di Maria from Spanish giants Real Madrid to Premier League giants Manchester United, for a staggering £59.7 million. But if the latest reports are to be believed, it appears Di Maria’s stint with the Red Devils will be short-lived…
According to the Metro, the talented midfielder may be transferred out to another European giant in a bid to raise funds for either Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo was previously linked with a Premier League move to either Chelsea or Manchester United, but negotiations fell short. Gareth Bale was also recently linked in an exchange deal to bring Di Maria back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Di Maria has reportedly stated that he has some regrets about choosing Manchester United over French juggernauts Paris Saint Germain (PSG), and that he hopes to make a move there at some point in his career. The 26-year-old was quoted in Express saying, “PSG, they had a money problem and they couldn’t buy players. It could have been a good experience for me to go to Paris. I know I’m still young; perhaps I’ll go to PSG one day. I don’t know how it will all end.” His wish could come true earlier than anticipated if Louis Van Gaal decides to make a play for either the Welsh prodigy or the Portuguese sensation.
A minimum transfer fee for these two Real Madrid forwards has been estimated will cost over £90 million and of course if it were to happen, either player would demand astronomical salaries.
Ronaldo spent his formative years with the 13-time Premier League champions under the tutelage of former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, before making the then record-breaking move to Real Madrid. Bale spent the majority of his career with the Tottenham Hotspurs before signing with the ten-time European Champions last summer.
Both would be dream buys for any top European club, but would come at a hefty price. Though it would no doubt be money well spent considering both players have Premier League experience.
Van Gaal too, knows he needs to make sure his team qualifies for the UEFA Champions League if he holds any hope of attracting world class players like Bale and Ronaldo.