Forget Lucas Moura, right now, Moussa Dembele is the man for Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been admirably stubborn in his midfield search this summer, but also caught in a financial quandry.
The manager did not want to pay Newcastle’s £25 million asking price for Cheik Tiote so dismissed him as a target, while when he did make offers of that amount for Luka Modric and Lucas Moura, the club was told it was not enough.
With a week and a half until the season kicks off, there is little time to be wasted, and United are at the point where they need to act fast to bring a new face in.
With time elapsed, they do not have the luxury of bringing in a new man on pre-season to settle in. It would be wise now to bring in a midfielder with experience of the Premier League who can adapt quickly.
One who the club were previously linked with, and are reported to have had a £10 million offer rejected for just last week is Moussa Dembele.
The Belgian is a big talent, and has just one year left on his contract, so given the right offer, Fulham would be tempted to sell.
A bid of between £13-15 million should do the trick. Some observers may view this as over the odds, but it is less than half the club were willing to play on Lucas Moura, who has never even played in Europe, and would allow the club to strengthen in other areas.
Moura may be the world’s next big star, he may be a bust, either way he is now out of reach, agreeing to sign for PSG in January. Dembele is in any case is a far safer option, even if he lacks the X-factor some fans are demanding. Right now United fans have to face it that midfield options are limited and he appears the best of the bunch.
It would leave money to spend on a left-back to cover for Patrice Evra, and even for a certain Dutchman to play up front.
Dembele is a talented footballer, who was originally signed by Mark Hughes for Fulham from AZ, where he played predominantly as a second striker.
Martin Jol last season converted him to a central midfield position, and it has worked wonders. His quick passing and ability to keep possession and control the tempo of the attack has crucial to Fulham’s success last season, particularly at home.
At 25, he wants to join his Belgian international colleagues in moving to a major club capable of challenging for honours, and United naturally fit the bill.
United have wasted so much time on their pursuit of Lucas Moura which appears destined to end fruitless, so a quick signing of Dembele would be ideal. They have the money, it is just whether Sir Alex Ferguson wants to meet Fulham’s valuation.
If they waste more time, they may end up without any new midfield additions, and Dembele would slot right in and be ready to go from day one.
Do you agree? Should United move on from Moura and go for Dembele?
image: © Gordon Flood
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