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Man United in bizarre swoop for former Arsenal flop

| 23.05.2014

In one of the more bizarre transfer rumours to emerge ahead of the World Cup Ivory Coast star Gervinho has been linked with a Premier League return – to Manchester United.

The Gunners paid £10.8m for the then Lille man in 2011 but the Ivorian struggled to settle in north London and scored a paltry 11 goals in 63 appearances for Arsene Wenger’s men.

This prompted the Arsenal manager to sell the 26-year-old at a £4m loss to Roma but the decision looks to have been a hasty one, with Gervinho steadily rebuilding his career with some solid displays in Serie A.

The player has taken almost half the time to match his Gunners tally, with 11 strikes from his first 33 games for the Italian giants, and according to The Express this has been enough to interest United.

Reports suggest that on the back of his sparking form, Gervinho has requested a longer deal and substantial pay rise, neither of which the club is in the position to facilitate.

And while any interest from United is more likely to be an agent-led fabrication to force Roma’s hand than bare any roots in reality, the report insists that new Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal is considering activating the £16m buy-out clause in the player’s contract.

It’s true that the thought of an at-the-top-of-his-game Gervinho feeding into Robin van Persie is what Wenger envisioned when swooping on Lille three years ago and with the Dutchman set to lead the line at United under Van Gaal there is a link.

However, with Manchester United a distant third-place bet to win the Premier League next term at 5/1, Van Gaal would be better advised to spend his cash elsewhere.

Gervinho may already be twice the player Arsenal fans were treated to during his brief spell at the Emirates but United have more pressing matters in the middle of the park and in central defence.

Check out the shopping list Ladbrokes News feels Van Gaal should be buyinh from here.

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Author

James Curtis

After studying for a degree in journalism and gaining his NCTJ, James contributed to a wide range of papers, online publications and broadcasters including the South London Press, Press Association and Sky Sports News before joining the Ladbrokes News team.