Imagine the scenario.
Ed Woodward calls up Louis van Gaal in the summer. ‘Hi Louis, it’s big Ed here. Listen, we’ve been horrific to watch all season, but we go again and all that. First order of business, you can have Radamel Falcao or…’ ‘Anyone else’, Van Gaal says, cutting off the United executive vice-chairman.
‘I will take anyone else’.
But if Louis lets Ed finish, he’ll find out not only can United be rid of Falcao, they can replace him with Robert Lewandowski. To the United manager, this must be like trading in a rickety old sports car, with a few too many miles on the clock, for a sleek, executive saloon model.
Well, according to The Daily Mail, this is what awaits for Van Gaal and Manchester United. Although maybe not that exact conversation.
United are planning a £30million move for the Bayern Munich striker, who only joined the club last summer on a free transfer, but hasn’t fully settled in Pep Guardiola’s team. Lewandowski has 13 goals in 30 games for the Bavarian giants, but reportedly doesn’t fit the Bayern manager’s possession-based football.
He would, however, be ideal for United. Van Gaal apparently sees him as a clear upgrade on misfiring Falcao, who has failed to convince the United boss or fans that he is worth the considerable outlay being demanded to make his move permanent. A move for Lewandowski would cost less, he’s younger and also isn’t just recovering, like Falcao, from a serious knee injiury
Manchester United are also, according to TalkSport, set to enter a transfer battle with Liverpool for Barcelona forward Pedro. The 27-year-old Spaniard has had his playing time limited since the arrival of Luis Suarez and is firm fourth choice forward for Luis Enrique’s side, behind Neymar, Lionel Messi and the Uruguayan.
Pedro’s contract also has just 18 months left, making him available for a reduced fee in the summer. ‘The truth is that it’s complicated for those of us who play less’, Pedro told Spanish newspaper Marca.
Pedro could be tempted by a move to either of the English football’s most successful clubs. The forward is a Barcelona academy product and has won three La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, the World Cup and the European Championships.
Liverpool are also planning a move for Chelsea’s Petr Cech at the end of the season. The Daily Star is reporting that Brendan Rodgers has identified the goalkeeper as a replacement for Simon Mignolet.
The current Liverpool goalkeeper has improved in recent weeks, but Cech would represent a transfer coup for Rodgers’ side. Cech has lost his automatic spot to Thibaut Courtois this season, and apparently isn’t pleased with his reduced role.
Roma and Napoli are reportedly also interested, and any move for Cech could hinge on the offer of Champions League football.
