Di Maria transfer request could force more spending.
Manchester United are said to be weighing up a move to sign Barcelona winger Pedro this summer as Angel Di Maria is unhappy at Old Trafford, according to the Daily Mail.
The Red Devils are also looking at a number of other similar attacking players, according to various other sources, with the Mail stating that the Argentine attacking midfielder could force an exit from the club this summer due to his family being unsettled in Manchester.
Di Maria’s home was burgled last season, and his form seemed to dip considerably after this incident as he failed to live up to a bright start in the Premier League, which could now see him seek a move abroad to Paris Saint-Germain, who have been public in their interest, as reported in the London Evening Standard.
Although the Mail claims that United want to keep the Argentine international, it seems that they could already be looking into possible replacements for him, with these three wide-players listed in the press in recent days as options for the Reds:
1) Pedro (Barcelona)
Firstly, the Daily Telegraph backs up the Mail’s claims that United are looking into bidding for Pedro, who could cost around £22m. The Spanish international is not an identical style player to Di Maria, but his fine record of goals and assists from out wide in some hugely successful Barcelona and Spain teams make him a great option for the club as they look to improve and become title challengers. Pedro has recently fallen out of favour at the Nou Camp due to huge competition for places from big names like Neymar and Luis Suarez, but there’s no doubt he could be a hit in the Premier League.
SEE ALSO:
Five BIG transfers that look set to go through in the next 48 hours: Liverpool DOUBLE deal & another Man Utd buy
Chelsea want to sign Man Utd target, Mourinho ready to improve bid
Manchester United transfer rumours
2) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror report that United are still interested in signing long-time target Gareth Bale from Real Madrid. The Welshman is another exciting and direct attacking midfield player who could be a great buy if the club do lose Di Maria this summer, having proven a big hit in the Premier League during his time as a Tottenham Hotspur player, though the Mirror say he could end up costing a whopping £95m, which would possibly be too much even for big-spending United to consider at this point.
3) Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Finally, the Daily Express suggests that Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller is another option being looked at towards the end of the summer transfer window. Having already signed Bastian Schweinsteiger from his old club, Louis van Gaal seems to be looking at Muller and also Robert Lewandowski in a potential double raid on the Bundesliga champions. Muller is another slightly different attacking player from Di Maria, but he is capable of playing out wide or behind the main striker, providing creativity, skill and a goal threat from an advanced midfield position.