Man United's Javier Hernandez Would Be a Bold Late Summer Signing for Tottenham

Newspaper reports linking Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale with Manchester United earlier this week introduced another name to the ongoing speculation—Javier Hernandez.

Both The Independent and the Daily Star identified the striker as a possible mutually agreeable makeweight in a prospective transfer.

Hernandez's future has not created anywhere near the number of column inches Bale's has this summer—nor close to that of his teammate Wayne Rooney's, either.

Information on the Mexican's status under Man United's new managerial regime has been relatively low-key.

It would be wrong to read too much specifically into his missing last weekend's Community Shield. Summer international duty meant Hernandez was a little bit behind in his preseason schedule.

Yet the day's events reiterated the challenges the 25-year-old faces in becoming a regular under David Moyes.

Robin van Persie's double in the 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic underlined his continuing potency leading the line in attack. Flanking the Dutchman were Danny Welbeck and new signing Wilfried Zaha, hinting at a three-pronged attack United may favour.

Rooney could feasibly feature as one of van Persie's supporting players here. For out-and-out striker Hernandez, his opportunities would likely to be limited to occasions when last season's top scorer is rested.

A backup (or rotational) role will not be new to the man they call Chicharito. His three seasons in the Northwest thus far saw Sir Alex Ferguson deploy him with varying frequency.

It was a particular luxury for the now-retired Scotsman, as he knew Hernandez was capable of scoring. Fifty goals was the handsome return for duty split fairly evenly between the bench and the starting lineup.

With the likelihood of a regular starting position at United dependent on van Persie's fitness, it would be understandable if Hernandez was contemplating a change of scenery.

Such a decision will not be taken lightly on the player's part. Nor would it be on the club's.

Only in the knowledge they would be receiving a player of Bale's class in exchange would Hernandez's departure seem bearable (at least to a fellow Premier League club).

For Tottenham, okaying such a deal would mean a monumental change of heart.

Losing Bale to Real Madrid—even for the ridiculous sums being quoted in stories such as this Daily Mail one—was a dispiriting enough thought. Seeing him light up the Premier League in another club's shirt would probably be worse.

If Bale became so determined to leave Spurs that Man United becomes a viable option in his eyes, Hernandez plus a sizable amount of cash would at least be worth considering by manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Accepting such an offer would require an element of boldness from the Portuguese.

Hernandez in his own right would be a fine addition to Spurs' squad. Yet how he would be accommodated alongside the recently signed Roberto Soldado (or one of Spurs' other existing strikers) might complicate the issue.

On paper, the thought of such fine goalscorers paired up front would be an enticing one. Their like-minded desire to score might not necessarily go together in a satisfactory balance for the team, though.

Villas-Boas would have to weigh whether the goals Hernandez could (potentially) additionally contribute would be worth adjusting his team accordingly. Spurs have often preferred to use just one natural forward in recent times, and also have a number of midfielders to involve.

Even with Bale, Spurs have work to do in upping the quality of their creativity this season. Hernandez, however, along with Soldado, could prove to be the instinctive, penalty-area-proficient catalyst that sparks such an improvement.

Nothing might ever come of this link. Bale may never come close to considering becoming a Red Devil, while Hernandez may be happy remaining one.

Spurs sanctioning such a move would be one heck of a statement of intent, though. Selling their star player and taking a very fine one in return would signal their belief that they can live without Bale.

Just deciding to do that is going to take some courage.