Manchester United are on the verge of completing an extraordinary last-day move for Colombian striker Radamel Falcao. United and Monaco have reportedly agreed a season-long loan for the forward, with the Red Devils said to be paying between $25M and $35M (comprised of a one-off fee and Falcao’s wages) for the privilege. The deal includes an option to make the move permanent at the end of the loan.
As The18 noted yesterday, Falcao has been shopped around Europe’s biggest clubs all summer by agent Jorge Mendes. While Real Madrid was long thought to be the likeliest destination, it appears their loan move for Javier Hernandez has signalled the end of their transfer activity this summer. Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal had also been credited with an interest.
With Hernandez and Danny Welbeck on their way out of Old Trafford, an incoming striker makes a degree of sense. But while the signing of Falcao is undoubtedly a statement of intent, is circa $30M for one year’s worth of service from a striker with a dodgy knee really money well spent? After all, a look at some basic stats from our friends at ESPN shows that Falacao is clearly on the declining end of his career "bell curve." That said, perhaps the management team at Manchester United does not have access to such advanced statistic-o-nomics.
Falcao's league statistics... pic.twitter.com/fHLV8ajDv1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 1, 2014
United’s failure to score against Burnley at the weekend had much more to do with a lack of supply than it did poor finishing, while their defense looked shakier than an alcoholic rattle snake in withdrawal. Wouldn’t that $30M have been better spent on a defensive midfielder, a centre back, or a right wing back?
As we go to press, there are still a few hours of the transfer window remaining; perhaps United’s summer business is yet to be concluded. Which means the boy in red may have to make a second trip to the airport.
The boys off to pick up Falcao from the airport... https://t.co/9l5u9VYMMe
— Manchester United (@ManUnitedWorld) September 1, 2014
