Transfer Targets: Manchester United

Now we enter the time where speculation starts, the betting houses take odds or on the destination of some crafty winger from Russia, a stern defender from Germany or a precocious young striker from France, usually, but because of a perfect storm of events, an economy in freefall and the available slots effectively closed at the two clubs who could possibly afford them, talented young Spanish players might be forced to leave their hometown clubs to seek a fair wage abroad. At one time England might have seemed too much of a transition for Spanish players, but not anymore. The biggest clubs in England are setting their sights on the breadth of talent that the Spanish national set-up is offering and for the next few weeks we will be previewing some possible matchups for the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Arsenal, Liverpool and the like.

Let´s start with Manchester United. They may be staring at a fifth European finals appearance and a record 19th domestic title, but is it me or does this club seem to be entering a transitional phase? Gary Neville has already retired. Edwin Van Der Sar and Paul Scholes look to join him at the end of the season. Do we really think that Ryan Giggs has that much left at 37 to continue on? They´ll need to retool if not replace them wholeheartedly. Here´s a set of decidedly Spanish solutions to help that along.

Goalkeeper: the club are keen on David de Gea from Atlético Madrid. There have been reports that a deal has been struck, but his asking price (in upwards of 20 million euros) is a bit high for what United are willing to pay. To keep Atéti honest in negotiations, the Red Devils have involved themselves in the Manuel Neuer negotiations that were at one time a lock to see the German international trade Schalke 04 for Bayern Munich. I think that´s a done deal which is why United have started talks with Sporting Lisbon keeper Rui Patricio. Frankly, neither player has more upside than de Gea and I think United know it. They are still looking for a replacement to the legendary Peter Schmeichel and they have him close. Is he the only possibility? Some say Valencia´s youngster Vicente Guaita is more talented, further along in his development and has better upside.

Fullback: Sir Alex Ferguson has said in the past that the most difficult player of his to replace was going to be Gary Neville. I realize that he was probably referring to Neville´s legendary competitiveness and leadership skills, but if he were to think of talent alone, he should probably take a chance on former Osauna youth product César Azpilicueta who transferred to Marseilles before suffering a serious knee injury that impaired his season in France. He was onn the outskirts of Vicente del Bosque´s squad for the last World Cup and he is one of the shining lights of Spain´s U-21´s. Another fall-back option is Hugo Mallo who plays for second division side Celta de Vigo. The pacy wingback has been on Chelsea Fc´s radar for awhile now. He would do well under Sir Alex´s tutelage.

Midfield: Paul Scholes is one of the few English internationals over the last generation to be considered one of the chosen few: a footballer´s footballer. He scored choice goals, opportunistic in nature and brilliant technically, but with his decline United have had to search for creativity elsewhere; from the wings or from their strikers, but it is time enough for searching. Manchester United need a replacement for the ginger ninja and quickly. I know the names of Wesley Schneider and Rafa Van Der Vaart have been mentioned but that´s too lazy of an answer. Do you trust either to stay healthy enough over a long season? Sergio Canales has fallen out of favor at Real Madrid, I know no one mentions it at all but can anyone explain his meteoric downturn from second-coming to seasoned bench-warmer? He is still one of the top attacking mid-fielders/support strikers to put on a Spanish U-21 kit and he would benefit from the sort of help that Chicharito Hernandez receives at Old Trafford. With Getafe in a heated relegation battle, former Real Madrid youth-teamer Dani Parejo might be a more effective option at his price. Actually, United are thin along the midfield and might be better served to invest in an Ever Banega of Valencia or Fernando Gago of Real Madrid rather than resorting to the much-traveled Lassana Diarra as a replacement to the oft-injured Owen Hargreaves.

Winger: I know that United are set at the wings, Valencia is back and Nani is a growing asset, but with the eventuality of Ryan Gigg´s career coming to a close, the club have got to consider a player with the ability to play on the wing but with the versatility to move his game centrally. If there is a player with those qualifications, it´s Diego Perotti of Sevilla. He comes from the long-line of Sevilla wingers that includes José Antonio Reyes, Diego Capel and Jesús Navas, but Perotti might be more talented than any of them.

Next stop in the Premier League gravy train: Chelsea FC