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Sky Sports News yesterday ran quotes about talks between Galatasaray and Manchester United surrounding the potential signing of Nani. Here’s what the Galatasaray president said on the subject:

“We offered €7million (£6m) for him. But they didn’t accept. We can’t give more than this.

“We are not going to follow Nani anymore. We can’t give more than €7m for him.

“They want €10million (£8.5million). Because of this he is not on our transfer list anymore.”

Based on this quote Galatasaray won’t get Nani, but the fact that (if the quotes are to be believed) Manchester United have named their price for the winger, would suggest that they are willing to sell. After 6 years at Old Trafford Nani has sporadically burned brightly, but not often or for long enough.

Zaha is coming in but is a right-footer and will need time to bed in at any rate. Other than that, Manchester United have Giggs, Young and Kagawa who can play on the left. Giggs is 39 and usually plays more centrally these days. Kagawa is a very talented player but certainly not a conventional winger in Manchester United terms. Anyone who reads soccersweep on a reg will know what we think of Ashley Young – he’s not without athletic merits but, overall, he lacks the guile of a top Manchester United winger. So, if David Moyes plans to continue the United tradition of playing a 4-4-2 with true width, he may well decide to invest in a left-sided attacking player this summer.

With Porto’s James Rodriguez (strongly linked with Manchester United in the past) signing for Monaco, obvious targets are looking thin on the ground. There is, of course, one player who ticks all the necessary boxes and even some that don’t need ticking. There is no doubt that Gareth Bale would improve Manchester United. The real question is how far have United fallen behind the European superpowers in terms of financial muscle, if at all? Manchester United is still a goldmine, increasing its revenue year on year with new sponsorships and affiliations around the globe.

But the well-known debt that The Glazers saddled the club with on arrival in 2005 has meant that much of the profit, equivalent to about a superstar a year, has gone to pay off a huge interest bill. But, with the debt at its lowest point since the Americans arrived, could Manchester United now push the boat out for a player with a value of around £60m? As with any such debate, actions speak louder than words. The club has perennially stated that they are competitive in the market and if a player of top quality became available then United would make a bid. Cash flow is, we are regularly told, not an issue.

But isn’t now that time? Manchester United desperately need a player to replace Giggs. Bale is surely the perfect replacement. And, unless I have missed something, there is still a shed load of money left over from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo right? Now is the time for Manchester United to show the fans that they are as good as their word and will pay the big money when necessary. We can’t think of a better time for The Glazers to prove themselves to the supporters than this summer with the signing of a Welsh wizard who will keep the team healthy and competitive for years to come.

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