Manchester United Transfer News: Edinson Cavani to Be Funded by Robin Van Persie

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is planning to sell Robin van Persie in order to fund a move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani, according to Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star.  

RvP earns a whopping £250,000 per week at Old Trafford, money that could be key in attracting Cavani, whom Anderson values at £60 million.

Manager Laurent Blanc has often pushed the Uruguayan away from his favoured striker position at the Parc des Princes. He prefers Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the centre of his 4-3-3 formation, leaving Cavani to play from the flank. This nullifies his ability to hold the ball up and dominate centre-backs with his physicality, not to mention his clinical finishing quality in front of goal.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

France Football (via Jonathan Johnson of ESPN FC) suggested either Cavani or Ibra will leave the French champions during the summer:

Van Gaal would likely partner Cavani alongside captain Wayne Rooney. Few clubs would possess a more powerful attacking duo if this happens.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Both Cavani and Rooney are hot-headed characters who are full of running and the desire to sacrifice themselves for the team. Van Gaal has already added pace with the capture of PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay, who can also play in a central role.

Cavani and Rooney have been victims of their own versatility in recent times—the latter hardly excelled in central midfield for United during the 2014-15 season—but could form an effective partnership up front. Even the Premier League's most physical centre-backs would think twice about facing them, particularly with Memphis and Angel Di Maria providing pace from wide.

Van Persie posted a poor first season under Van Gaal. He notched just 10 Premier League goals and failed to hold down a consistent first-team place during an injury-ridden campaign. The Dutchman has slowed down rapidly and isn't playing the instinctive type of football that made him such a success during his 2012-13 title-winning campaign with the club.

B/R UK's Andy Brassell recently distinguished the players Van Gaal should sell and keep:

Lazio sporting director Igli Tare recently denied speculation linking RvP to the Rome-based club, telling Lazio Style Radio (h/t Sky Sports), "On Van Persie, all I can say is that I respect him as a striker but unfortunately, he is outside our parameters. There has never been a meeting, this is gossip, not transfer news."

Even if Van Persie leaves, United would be wildly overpaying for Cavani at £60 million. At the right price, he could be an excellent signing.

The striker needs a new lease of life and has grown stale at PSG, while Van Gaal needs an experienced goalscorer who can perform in the Champions League. It's the right time to get Van Persie off of the wage bill, but the club must not overpay for his potential replacement.