Is He Worth £59.7m? No, and United should not have to pay that. They are the only club bidding. PSG can’t buy him because of Financial Fair ...
Is He Worth £59.7m?
No, and United should not have to pay that. They are the only club bidding. PSG can’t buy him because of Financial Fair Play restrictions and Manchester City turned down the chance to buy him this summer for the same reason.
It will be interesting to see if the clubs agree on the price paid. Real said Gareth Bale cost around €90m and Spurs insisted it was €100m. The sale of Di Maria is hugely unpopular, so Real president Florentino Perez needs the highest price possible.
Where Will He Play?
The most logical position for Di Maria in Louis van Gaal’s 3-5-2 is in the midfield five just inside the left wing back.
Last season he played on the left of the midfield three at Real Madrid and had his best season at the club. He can cover the runs of the left wing back and makes runs to the left to get round the back of teams.
His versatility is one of his best qualities. In a 3-5-2 he could play left wing back; he could play left or right in a 4-4-2; and in a 4-3-3, in the midfield three or front three. Jose Mourinho even had him down as an emergency left back.
Is He A Worthy No 7?
Xabi Alonso tweeted: ‘Thanks for everything. I wish you all the best, even if you are going to United. We will never forget the zig-zag in extra time in Lisbon.’
Tired legs everywhere and Di Maria as fresh as if it were the 10th minute, not the 110th, hurtling down the left and crossing to Bale for the Champions League-winning goal. If he produces moments like that for United he will be more than worthy.
Why Are Real Madrid Selling?
The same reason they sold Arjen Robben in 2009. The desire for new stars must be financed, in part, by sales. Three Champions League finals later, nobody can say Bayern were wrong to sign Robben.
Real’s reluctance to put Di Maria on anything like pay parity with Bale and new signing Rodriguez owes much to image also.
Madrid’s business model is built on footballer pin-ups. Di Maria does not fit the poster-boy brigade.
