Louis van Gaal should consider a career as an attorney, because he knows how to spin a story.
In the aftermath of the stunning sneak-transfer Chelsea made to acquire Pedro and upend Man United’s summer of work, Louis van Gaal has denied being snubbed by the ex-Barcelona star.
In an interview transcribed by the Telegraph, Van Gaal danced around the issue of having wanted Pedro enough to pay the full price of his release clause
“I think that when we wanted Pedro it was not any problem,” the Old Trafford boss said. “So, because there was a (release) clause in his (Barcelona) contract and it was the most easy of transfers. So you can write what you want but we cannot say what we want. That’s the difference.”
Chelsea had no problem paying the €30 million Barcelona asked for in exchange for the 28-year-old scoring winger.
Van Gaal continued to blame the media for believing that his interest in Pedro was to the point where he and club executive Ed Woodward were ready to have the Barcelona winger signed, sealed and delivered.
“I have the responsibility of protecting the interests of the club, of my players. And I cannot say too much. And when you ask me ‘Pedro, is he fitting in the profile?’ I can say ‘ok’. I cannot lie. But I don’t say that I am interested in the player. That’s the difference that you bring – that I am interested. I answer the question and there’s a difference.
“People need to know that what is written in the papers is not true because you cannot know it. Only the players know, the clubs know and that’s it. And also Barcelona protect their interests. And I have read for example that Barcelona doesn’t want to let him go. Why? You have to ask Barcelona how it (the transfer) can happen then. It’s like that. And I have the idea that you want to separate Ed Woodward with me. Never. Never. Because from every day I am updated by him and I trust him.”
As for whether he believed Man United was feeling pressure to make another signing before the summer transfer window closes LVG said, “We have 28 players and did it last year without Pedro.”
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