Juan Cuadrado Transfer Pursued by Manchester United, Paul Pogba in Demand

Manchester United will go head-to-head with Chelsea in the final knockings of the January transfer window in order to land Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado, according to reports.

As noted by Jamie Sanderson of Metro, reports in Italy suggest that Louis van Gaal’s side are ready to bid for the Colombian international after sustained negotiations with the Blues have yet to yield anything tangible in terms of a deal.

Here’s a look at why Cuadrado would be an exceptional mid-season purchase for the Red Devils:

Not only is the Fiorentina man a wonderfully aesthetic player to watch, but he’s the kind of footballer who would really appeal to the qualities of the United boss. Van Gaal has already lined up his side in myriad different systems this season, meaning that versatile players are paramount to his philosophy flourishing.

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Cuadrado is one of the most versatile players out there. While he’s at his best in an advanced wide position, the Colombian has played in every role apart from centre-back during his time with La Viola and would have no issues changing system or role mid-game.

Nonetheless, Nooruddean Choudry of the Mirror ponders whether he’s already a better option to what United have, especially if he was going to be deployed as a wing-back:

But as already mentioned, the player is at his best when trailblazing up and down the flanks. His unrelenting desire to run at opponents is a quality in scant supply in Van Gaal’s current squad, and as the manager noted earlier in the season, pace is something that he clearly feels is vital to the team prospering offensively, per Match of the Day:

Former Manchester City man and Cuadrado’s current Fiorentina teammate Micah Richards also admitted recently that the Colombian is tailor-made for English football, per Sky Sports:

"

I have been training with him every day and he’s got everything; technique, speed, power, pace. All his attributes would be suited to the Premier League so I can see exactly why he is being linked with a move there.

He’s loved here at Fiorentina and if he was to leave the fans would be gutted but I suppose as a player he’s got to decide what’s best for him.

"

Fabrizio Giovannozzi/Associated Press

Getting Cuadrado on board in the January window would be a major coup for United, especially if they were to oust Chelsea. According to Sky Sports, Fiorentina will not sell their star man for less than his £26.2 million release clause, but for a team as flush as the Red Devils, that kind of money—especially spent on a classy player like Cuadrado—shouldn’t represent a stumbling block.

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Further down the line, it also looks as though the Red Devils will face a battle if they’re to land one of the world’s top midfield players. According to Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star, Barcelona will rival United, Chelsea and a host of other illustrious European clubs in the race to sign Juventus starlet Paul Pogba.

Malata cites sources in Spain who claim that the young Frenchman has caught the attentions of the Catalan giants, and that could further expedite the bidding war poised to take place for his signature. Here’s a look at why Pogba is considered as a potential future Ballon d’Or winner:

United let Pogba leave the club for free back in 2011, and watching his serene development from capricious, erratic talent into a thoroughbred, multi-faceted midfield man must have been especially painful for the Red Devils. But if they were able to bring him back—even for a world-record transfer fee—it’d be money well spent on the part of the United hierarchy.

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As noted here by Ben McAleer of WhoScored.com, the player’s ability to strike the ball from range is just one of his many, many qualities:

If the Bianconeri decide to cash in on Pogba in the summer, then the transfer embargo Barcelona are currently levied with will prevent them from making a concrete move. With that in mind, the Blaugrana associates will be hoping that the Frenchman holds off on a potential transfer until 2016.

You suspect United and the like will test the resolve of Juventus sternly in the summer, though. Pogba is already one of the best orthodox central midfield players in world football and although he may command an astronomical transfer fee, the longevity he would provide in addition to his indisputable talent would make it a sound investment.