Swap deal collapse could see Inter star move to Old Trafford
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With the deal taking Juan Mata from Chelsea to Manchester United all but done, Red Devils boss David Moyes has turned his attention to Serie A for further midfield reinforcement.
The Scot saw his chances of landing a trophy in his first season in the Old Trafford dugout practically die after his side were dumped out of the Capital One Cup following a dire penalty shootout with Sunderland.
And so the rebuilding process has been kicked up a level with Inter Milan’s Fredy Guarin the next name on Moyes’ wide-ranging shopping list.
The 27-year-old had been destined to swap the San Siro for Juventus Stadium in a deal that would have seen Mirko Vucinic move in the opposite direction, but after that deal fell through – Moyes has upped his interest in the Colombia international.
Commenting on the collapse of the deal, Inter president Erick Thohir said: “I felt it was not possible to reach an agreement on a deal in which the opinions of the two parties differed and which did not offer a clear financial or technical benefit to the club.”
Guarin is the not the most prolific of midfielders, scoring just seven goals in 53 games for the Nerazzurri , but as this wonder goal against Maritimo attests he has an eye for the spectacular and could provide a much-needed spark in the heart of the United team.
Comfortable in the middle of the park or out on the right, Guarin would be expected to link up with Mata in order to get the best out of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
United are currently priced at 80/1 to retain their Premier League crown and at 14/5 to secure Champions League football.
And, while the league is surely beyond them now, the arrivals of Mata and Guarin – coupled with news that Rooney is expected to commit to a new long-term deal – the much-talked-about “transitional period” could be about to end for the champions.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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