Listen to yourselves...almost every player is attainable these days with enough money, there's no loyalty left in football now and the players hold all the power.
We are arguably one of the top three clubs in the World and most of these targeted players have release clauses, it's just a matter of convincing them to come to us. We play in the most popular league in the World, we have a huge fan base and an enormity of funds. Manchester City managed to convince players of the calibre of Sergio Aguero, Robinho, Yaya Toure, David Silva etc with money alone. We have the history, prestige and global marketability that they've never had, if we throw enough money you never know who could turn.
No one thought we could sign a Di Maria or Falcao last season, but the deals can be made quickly when we need to. We've barely spent £10m net in the transfer window and have shaved a significant amount from the wage bill, so the money is, in theory, there.
In terms of value for money, the Pedro deal was a no brainer. I think the club want a bigger name though, someone that'll sell shirts and boost revenue. That's the Woodward way. But there are still plenty of players around that can improve us.
I'd have loved to see Lewandowski in a United shirt, but we lack pace more than anything, so I'd prefer to go all out for Reus or Bale. I don't think Griezmann has the same pace and he's a little lightweight, but he's probably the most natural on the right and has a beautiful left foot, plus he's got the technical ability to suit the Van Gaal style of play. Again, no complaints if we went for him. De Bruyne is one that doesn't really interest me, he had a great season in Germany but he hardly set the Premier League alight in his stint at Chelsea. I think he'd do well at City but we need off the ball movement, and I see De Bruyne as a player that picks out the final pass, as evident by his assist ratio last season. Mane has been linked and he certainly provides pace and PL experience, but Southampton are in a strong position so there's probably no value there. He'd be a decent acquisition, mind. Bale apart though, are these really the galactico that Woodward wants?
Muller is a perfect fit for this system but he doesn't win games on his own like the others might, and I don't think he'd be as effective for us right now without a better forward line. He's also probably the least attainable as Bayern really won't want to sell and don't need to.
Then we have the only one that I really don't want, the one that we are reportedly after right now, Neymar. I just don't like him, he dives and cheats more than any other player I've seen, and I'm not sure he'd excel in a more physical league. Chile and Columbia have shown how to nullify him, and he won't get the protection in England that he is used to. He'd sell shirts and increase sponsorship revenue, but he's simply not worth the money being quoted when he's arguably the greatest risk.
Ronaldo would be the great signing, and I actually think Real Madrid would sell if the money was right, but he'd probably cost us as much as we've sold him for, and there is no telling how he will age. He looks in great shape so it would be a risk worth taking, but his physicality is such a crucial part of his game that he'd be a fraction of the player without it. The major stumbling block would be his willingness to leave though, he's clearly goal orientated and he obviously wants the legacy of that goal record.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the most obvious one, his club have already said he's available and he immediately improves us. He's got the physicality to dominate in this league but I'd still worry that we lack pace if he's the only one coming in. Should be fairly cheap although wages would be huge, and he'll want a decent length of contract too, I suspect. It's another risk though, he's fiery and likely to clash with the manager, but his value on the pitch would warrant a bit of ego massage in my opinion.
It could be anyone, but I feel we're not finished yet in this window. Anyone but Neymar, and I'm happy enough, but I fear we will have to overspend again to get any movement at this late stage. Reus would be my pick though, I think he'd be good value and Dortmund would sell if the money was right. It's just a matter of convincing the player...
