Manchester United Transfer News: Huge Pedro Blow, Latest Angel Di Maria Rumours

Manchester United could face stiff competition from Bayern Munich in their reported pursuit of Barcelona winger Pedro, as Red Devils record signing Angel Di Maria edges closer to Paris Saint-Germain.

According to Munich-based newspaper TZ (h/t Liam Corless of the Daily Mirror), Bayern are interested in the Barcelona winger, even if their admiration has yet to manifest into anything tangible.

As noted by Corless, United are also in for the Spain international, who will cost a reported £23 million.

As we can see per OptaJose, Pedro fell out of favour at the Nou Camp last season:

That’s no slight on the player. After all, there are few forwards in world football who would be able to muscle in on an attacking trio of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi. But it’s clear a change of scenery would be ideal for a talented individual whose career has stalled in Catalonia.

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Bayern may be an ideal venue, too. Their manager, Pep Guardiola, got the very best out of Pedro during his time at the helm of Barca, and the winger would add a direct edge to what is an otherwise meticulously assembled team.

However, despite the undeniable draw of Guardiola, Old Trafford would be a better destination for Pedro.

With Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller all vying for attacking-midfield spots at the Allianz Arena, the Barca man may find minutes equally hard to come by. But he could spearhead a renaissance at United.

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There may be a major void to fill in Manchester too, with PSG boss Laurent Blanc claiming a deal is almost done for Di Maria to join the French champions.

“You know negotiations are ongoing but both are big clubs and as such that can be difficult,” said the Frenchman on Thursday, per Ian Ladyman of the Mail Online. “But we feel we are close to the end.”

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As for United boss Louis van Gaal, it seems he couldn’t be any more nonplussed about the whole transfer saga, per Ladyman:

After a turbulent debut campaign in England, the Red Devils look ready to cut their losses on the most expensive player in the history of British football.

Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell took a look at whether or not Pedro is a better fit for Van Gaal’s system:

On the face of it, you’d have to agree the Barca man is.

United have bolstered the centre of their midfield—a position where Di Maria was at his best for Real Madrid—with the signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, who are likely to play alongside Ander Herrera in a trio. It leaves the Argentinian, who struggled for game time last season, even more on the fringes.

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Former United defender Gary Neville thinks it’s important the club secure an appropriate replacement should they lose their No. 7:

Van Gaal's signings this summer have provided a much clearer insight into his beliefs.

He wants disciplined players in both defence and attack, who are capable of being stationed in a specific role and carrying out assigned duties. For Di Maria’s vast array of qualities, he’s not a seamless fit with those principles.

Pedro can be. At Barcelona, the players are schooled in the importance of holding position, providing width and nurturing in-game intellect; if United want an orthodox wide man to complement their reshaped central midfield, the Spaniard is an ideal candidate.