Could Swansea City’s loan star Sigurdsson could be a cut-price alternative to Eden Hazard for Manchester United?
When Manchester United start looking at their transfer options this summer, they could do worse than look at Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Sigurdsson has been a revelation since joining the Swans on loan in January, but the danger for the Welsh club is that he is alerting Europe’s top clubs to his talents.
The Icelandic attacker is only 22 and has packed a lot into his career already, playing for Reading, and enjoying loan spells at Crewe Alexander and Shrewsbury Town in his teens.
We are asking whether Hoffenheim may be receiving a bid from Manchester United for the player’s services this summer.
Here are some reasons why it could happen; firstly- Manchester United are in need of new recruits who can play across the midfield.
Sigurdsson is an attacking midfielder who plays centrally, while his versatility means he can also perform as a central midfielder, or as a centre forward.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with Eden Hazard, who can play in a similar attacking midfielder role, but at a cost of £30 million, perhaps United will decide Sigurdsson presents more ‘value in the market’ – a favourite mantra of Sir Alex Ferguson in recent years.
Over the past five seasons, United have a net spent of just £47 million, in comparison to Manchester City’s £430 million, so is spending such an exorbitant amount on Eden Hazard even likely?
Under the Glazers, United’s spending has been more frugal than a club capable of generating their income should suggest, such is the amount of debt the Americans have leveraged against their investment.
Next, Sigurdsson is a good age, an intelligent player, and is proving that he can cut it in the Premier League.
Since January he has scored six goals in 10 games, as well as providing two assists. Intriguingly all six of his goals have come away from home, recently netting twice at Fulham and yesterday against Tottenham.
All six of his goals have come playing as an attacking midfielder, while his set piece delivery and free-kicks are other important talents in his locker.
His fluid style could fit with United’s attacking play, which has seen them perform recently with Antonio Valencia, Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez all in the same line-up.
We are not saying Sigurdsson should be United’s only signing this summer, supporters will demand more than one new face, but he should be worth considering as an option.
Paul Scholes’ comeback has been most welcome, but he is not the attacking goalscoring midfielder he once was, could Sigurdsson take on that role?
Let us know your thoughts, should United look at the Iceland international? Is he good enough to play for the Red Devils?
image: © Paolo Camera
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