Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Manchester United continue to aggressively pursue Barcelona‘s Cesc Fabregas even though the Spanish powerhouse has turned down United’s two previous bids for the 26-year-old midfielder. According to Fox Soccer, United manager David Moyes said that his pursuit of Fabregas is “ongoing.”
If Moyes’ pursuit of Fabregas is “ongoing,” I’m assuming that he’s going to increase the cash sum involved in this offer. Supposedly, one of the offers for Cesc was around £25 million, but it looks like Moyes will end up having to increase this sum past his team’s transfer record fee of £30 million for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008. Berbatov lived up to expectations for United, scoring 48 goals in 108 appearances, but the Bulgarian striker was transferred to Fulham in 2012. If Fabregas eclipses Berbatov’s transfer fee record, the management at Old Trafford will definitely be expecting big things out of the Spaniard, and rightly so. Fabregas has established himself as one of the top midfielders in the world right now, but while playing at Arsenal in his early years, Fabregas was criticized for being too small and timid on the pitch; he did not demonstrate the type of aggressiveness and tenacity that so many Premier League stars utilized. However, over the years, Cesc used his fantastic playmaking abilities and mature vision of the pitch to silence all of his doubters who thought that he couldn’t replace Arsenal’s standout French midfielder David Vieira. Fabregas’ long lead passes are world-renowned, and as much as you can praise him for his technical ability and prowess on the field, he does show an aptitude for scoring off of either a slow buildup or a quick counter attack. He would be an appreciated addition to Man U’s attack.
Since Wayne Rooney is unsettled, United may desperately need Cesc to keep themselves in contention for a Champions League title next year. Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez are excellent footballers, but they could be so much better with a world-class winger like Fabregas on the pitch. Moyes should massively improve his next offer because the former Arsenal man is worth it.
