Is Manchester United's Angel Di Maria a Viable Target for Bayern Munich?
As FC Bayern Munich prepare for their 2015/16 campaign, the health and age statuses of both Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben appear intriguing areas of concern.
The three-time-defending German champions are Bundesliga favourites no matter their wingers' operational functionality, but continental success may prove difficult without their two best wide options fit throughout next season.
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Ribery has not played a competitive match since March 11, and his Dutch counterpart has played just one game after the same fixture. Now 32 and 31 respectively, Pep Guardiola—should he be concerned about the long-term stability of Bayern—may need to consider younger options.
According to the Daily Express' Ben Jefferson, Manchester United's Angel Di Maria has been suggested as a possible breath of fresh air at the Allianz Arena. Costing the Red Devils £59.7 million last summer from Real Madrid, though, is the Argentinian a viable transfer target for Munich this summer?
In a purely footballing context, the move would be perfect.
Di Maria has every tool required for both German and Champions League play; his supreme combination of experience, vision, pace and technical ability is a challenging package to find in one footballer—which makes the rumour of him leaving Old Trafford hard to understand.
Britain's most expensive transfer (costing £9.7 million more than what Chelsea paid Liverpool for Fernando Torres in 2011), the 27-year-old was never going to fulfil his price tag in one season—if at all.
The expectations placed on him—especially after United's disgraceful 2013/14 season—were immense, so to finish last year directly responsible for 14 goals in 24 starts was not a horrible result, especially considering the complete picture.
Louis van Gaal attempted to use Di Maria in numerous positions, but he eventually put 2014's Champions League final Man of the Match on the bench. This move made supporters and pundits alike question whether the Argentina international was bought with Van Gaal's blessing or if he was more an appeasement by United's board.
Supposing the latter was true, compounded by Di Maria's suspected wish to join Paris Saint-Germain last year—as documented by the Times' Duncan Castles—what if this summer, United were willing to relinquish their grasp?
Bayern, who held interest 12 months ago (noted by the Daily Star's Nick Lustig), can only be undeterred by one thing: £59.7 million.
Manchester United will certainly desire close to their original figure, as to save face, so would the Bavarians spend upwards of £50 million on one player?
Historically, no.
In their highest-ever purchases, Bayern bought Javi Martinez for £32 million and Mario Gotze for £31.5 million. The German holders are certainly capable of spending into the tens of millions for top-tier talent, but they have been more comfortable using in-house options and intra-league scouting.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, David Alaba and Thomas Muller came from Bayern's youth system, while the likes of Gotze, Robert Lewandowski, Dante and Manuel Neuer arrived from other Bundesliga clubs.
When Munich's vault has opened on outside options, Ribery and Robben are their two jewels. The Frenchman cost €25/£17 million in 2007 (via Sky Sports' Tom Adams) and the Dutchman €25/£22 million in 2009 (per Sky Sports' Ben Collins).
Football's transfer market has certainly changed over the past six to seven seasons, with massive exchanges seeming standard for world-class talent.
That being said, however, Munich shelling out around £50 million for one player appears improbable at best.
Hence, while Di Maria looks stylistically suited to the German giants—and Bayern definitely need new attacking life to replace their ageing, weary veterans—convincing Manchester United (and Di Maria) the Allianz should be his next destination would require unearthly sums "Der FCB" are historically unwilling to commit.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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