United will break the bank this summer for Bale and Fabregas…
Manchester United are ready to shatter their transfer record twice in one summer with the combined £100m signings of Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas, according to The Times.
Despite their willingness to to use their considerable financial clout – both transfers are not without complications for United.
Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartome has categorically said that the Catalan club will not sell their 26-year-old Spanish midfielder Fabregas, following United’s £26m rejected bid last week.
After the inevitable sale of Thiago to Bayern Munich, Barcelona would look thin in central midfield if they offloaded Fabregas to United.
Barcelona are looking, however, to raise transfer funds to buy a top quality centre-back – but PSG seem unwilling to even negotiate a deal for Thiago Silva. This could could mean Barcelona will head to England for a cheaper alternative such as Daniel Agger or David Luiz – although both would be expected to cost at least £20m, and David Luiz – at least £30m.
Whether the Spanish giants judge selling Fabregas to raise funds for one of these players as a necessary evil, is yet to be seen. United would have to add least £10m to their £26m bid before Barcelona would even become tempted.
Like Barcelona with Fabregas, Spurs are entirely unwilling to sell Gareth Bale, the Premier League’s Player of the Year. However, a world record bid north of £80m would undoubtedly force the club to the negotiation table.
United and Moyes are willing to spend this on 23-year-old Premier League Player of the Year, in an attempt to reignite the positivity that has evaporated during the new manager’s first summer in charge. The protracted Rooney saga and the failure to sign any top targets mean the club are more prepared than ever to break the bank to sign a top level player, and make a statement to the rest of Europe.
Of course, money talks in football – and United have proven a lure too great for many players to resist. They managed to tempt clubs in the past to sell the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov, when the selling club had originally given a ‘hands off’ warning.
The reality is though, that United would have to look at spending closer to £120m if they wanted both targets.
If they did so, the starting line up could send shivers down the spines of the rest of the Premier league elite…
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