Manchester United have been linked with a second raid on Borussia Dortmund. Surely it’s a must.
With Michael Owen gone and Dimitar Berbatov set to leave, United will be looking to add a fourth striker to their ranks ahead of next season.
Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez fill three of the spots, while Federico Macheda is likely to be loaned out again, or kept as a fifth option.
It is looking like spending £20 million plus on a Leandro Damiao, a Karim Benzema, or God forbid a Falcao – likely to cost over £40 million, would be well out of the question for United.
Instead the Red Devils will be wise to save their big money bids for central midfielders, and try to pick up a striker for under £15 million.
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Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who helped knock Manchester City out of the Europa League has been linked and would fit the bill, but the name which has leapt out and become a frontrunner over the past month is Robert Lewandowski.
Only 23, the striker had a terrific season last year, scoring 30 goals in 43 appearances.
He scored a hat-trick in the German cup final in front of a watching Sir Alex Ferguson, who saw him combine with new signing Shinji Kagawa.
The Polish striker has two years left on his contract, and so while Dortmund are in a stronger position than they were with Kagawa who had one year less, they will have to listen if the player says he wants out; knowing next year his price tag could de-value.
Lewandowski was backed yesterday by Polish football journalist Michal Zachodny to improve if he signs in Manchester, and at a similar age to Kagawa, he may also see Old Trafford as the next step in his career.
The biggest plus United should consider, is the potential link-up play Kagawa and Lewandowski could bring to the side. It would be far easier for Kagawa to combine with Lewandowski, a player he is familiar with, than another striker, and this should be a plus point.
The concern for United is that Euro 2012 kicks off this Friday, and Lewandowski will play a key part for host country Poland.
If he has a standout tournament, it will push his price up towards and over £20 million. This could tempt Dortmund to cash in for him, and it could strengthen their resolve to keep him. Either way, he may be out of United’s price range.
And regardless of his combination with Kagawa, they may then just have to go looking elsewhere for a new striker. If they do splash the cash, he may just be worth it.
Is Lewandowski worth pushing the boat out for? Who should United sign up front?
image: © wuestenigel
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