Why Manchester United Star Angel Di Maria Would Be Perfect for Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have been linked with a number of players already this summer, but none is quite as impressive as Manchester United star Angel Di Maria. 

The Argentinian international has been the subject of a number of rumours linking him with moves out of Manchester after an unconvincing first season and the trouble he's had settling in to the English city. 

Yet despite the apparent interest from Pep Guardiola's side, German newspaper Kicker has suggested (h/t Hamish Mackay of the Mirror) that the Munich side have been put off by the £44 million evaluation of the player by the Premier League outfit. 

That shouldn't stop them, though. Bayern need this player. 

Di Maria is a star within the world of football right now, but what would bring immediate delight to Bayern fans is the fact that he can play on either wing with ease. 

Bayern have two exceptional wingers in Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben—two players who score and assist with ease and can shoulder their way past most when they're on their game—but the former is 32 years old and managed only 23 games this season through injury, while the latter missed out on 18. 

Although both Ribery and Robben will rejoin the squad when fit and able, it is a risk to consider both as first-team regulars without a third competent winger at the club to help share the burden. Bayern desperately need a wide forward this summer, and Di Maria may fill that role perfectly.

But there is a lot more to this Argentinian international than just running the wings and swinging in crosses. He's an exceptional playmaker too.

Before he arrived at Man United, Di Maria was a key player in Real Madrid's side as something a little different from his usual wing play. The 27-year-old was deployed as a deep-lying central midfielder who would regularly pick passes and make runs from deep to set up plays and score goals.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

According to Transfermarkt, the midfielder amassed an incredible 11 goals and 26 assists in just 52 games for the Spanish giants before they opted to send him packing to the north of England. 

This aspect of Di Maria's game could complement Bayern next season. Although they may need another winger, they also need someone who can set up plays week in and week out. 

Sure, Ribery and Robben offer such skills when fit, but aside from the gruesome twosome on either wing, there are few playmakers at Bayern. Thiago Alcantara hasn't proved himself over the course of a season, Mario Gotze is still struggling to find his feet, and the midfield pairing of Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger is more interested in breaking up opposing plays and playing in simpler passes. 

Di Maria could not only walk into this team as a winger, but he could also play in the centre of Guardiola's team as a much-needed playmaker. 

Add to that the real need for players who can bring Bayern closer to another Champions League trophy, and Di Maria seems like a no-brainer this summer. Sure, the likes of Sebastian Rode and Xabi Alonso may help to tick things over, but it's the likes of Robert Lewandowski and other stars of the European game who turn Bayern from dark horse to genuine contender. 

Even if Bayern have to fork out £44 million for Di Maria, he's worth it. 

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