Man Utd target French goal-getter to replace Rooney
Published:Amid reports that Wayne Rooney has yet again asked for a transfer away from Manchester United, the Red Devils have made signing Karim Benzema priority number one this summer.
Real Madrid have already outlined their intention to keep the French international, but should the Premier League champions offer a package of suitable substance, they could be tempted into a deal.
It is believed Los Merengues are prepared to relinquish the services of either Benzema or strike partner Gonzalo Higuain this summer as they freshen up their forward line, so a move to United could well be on the cards.
The former Lyon star is a player whose intelligence off the ball would make him an ideal candidate to work in tandem with United’s resident goal machine, Robin van Persie, while his own scoring record isn’t too shabby either.
He’s bagged 15 this season while sharing lone striker responsibilities with Higuain which has contributed to an impressive Real total of 47 league goals in 64 starts.
Should United offload Rooney, which looks ever the more likely, they shouldn’t need to delve too deep into their transfer kitty in order to sanction the Benzema switch.
Having installed David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor, Rooney’s Old Trafford future looks bleak, given that his former Everton boss once sued the England star and, with rumours of his departure already circulating long before Ferguson’s retirement hit the presses, it seems unlikely that his heir apparent will alter the 27-year-old’s mindset.
Moyes’ appointment has convinced the bookies that United won’t retain their Premier League crown, rating them as 15/8 second favourites to win next season’s title behind Manchester City.
All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date
