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New Manchester United manager David Moyes evidently feels he can move the club on without Luis Nani. Nani’s inconsistency and lack of improvement in his defensive work rate makes him expendable. He hasn’t improved significantly from his best season a couple of years ago and now, with just one year left on his contract, United are making him available for £8.5m. Despite some frustrating moments and dips in form, he has shown that he can be a match winner. He has enjoyed a few golden runs of form for United and at times looked like a worthy successor to Ronaldo. He’s going to be a desirable option for clubs around Europe so here are some clubs who might covet him.
Monaco
Why would they sign him?
Monaco are loaded with cash and have shown a definite willingness to spend heavily to get quality. They’ve signed James Rodriguez to play on the left next to Falcao, so signing Nani to play on the right would give them a potent and very dynamic front three. Nani would offer width and pace, but most importantly a winning history. Monaco are trying to buy their way to success and have added Falcao and Moutinho, who won the Europa League at Porto, so signing Champions League winner Nani makes a lot of sense. He could certainly thrive in France where he will be facing inferior defenders to those he faces in England and this would give him a chance to find his form and flourish.
Will it happen?
8/10 – It makes the most sense. United would be happy to sell him and they can afford him. Moreover he’d be a guaranteed starter and allow Monaco to focus spending elsewhere.
Bayer Leverkusen
Why would they sign him?
Leverkusen have just lost their star forward André Schürrle for £18.5m and despite signing Son Heung Min, they still need to add pace and width to their attack to make up for the loss. Leverkusen are back in the Champions League next season and are showing signs that they might be willing to spend the Schürrle money to replace him properly. Leverkusen play a rapid style of football so keeping width is important. The Bundesliga would really suit Nani as the game is played at a near Premier League pace but Nani’s own speed would still make him a standout. Playing in a lower pressure environment where he has license to express himself could be ideal.
Will it happen?
5/10 – It’d be a bit of a different buying strategy for Leverkusen, but having signed Son they look to be confident spending money. Replacing Schürrle with two attackers would be good business.
Why would they sign him?
Anzhi are trying to make impact signings so getting a player from Manchester United would really show their new pulling power. It’s one thing paying Eto’o the highest wage in the world to get him to come to the club, but it’d be quite another to get 26-year-old Nani for what would be the best years of his career. Anzhi want to be competitive in the Champions League so signing a player like Nani would help that. They’ve got Willian now, so adding another attacking option with him and Eto’o behind Lacina Traore would give Anzhi a legitimate attack to cause any team in Europe worries.
Will it happen?
4/10 – I’m not convinced he’d chose a move to Russia necessarily but they are now moving to a stage where they can be taken seriously for football reasons, not just the money.
Why would they sign him?
Last season Inter had a disastrous campaign and finished 9th; their lowest for a generation. They bounced around different tactical set ups and systems at times, having a good defence and bad attack and visa versa. However, on paper the weakness is in attack. They have a total lack of pace and width in their current forward line. They have big or slow forwards and played quite narrowly aside from the wing backs. They need pace and variety if they have any intention of remaining competitive in Serie A, never mind winning it again any time soon. Nani would provide that and provide a tonic to a one-paced and easily blunted Inter attack. He’d be their star man which would feed well in to his confidence.
Will it happen?
7/10 – Inter have been bubbling under so far but they can afford this type of fee. They were only Champions of Europe three years ago so still carry good prestige.
Porto
Why would they sign him?
This would be a little unlike Porto’s normal recruitment strategy but this could be too good an opportunity to turn down. They’ve sold James Rodriguez so they need to upgrade in forward areas. Porto are also bouncing around perpetually between dominating in Portugal and not being competitive in the Champions League. Signing Nani would only take a small chunk out of the £70m Monaco spent with them and give them a legitimate quality player. It would also allow Nani to thrive in his home country in World Cup year, giving him a great chance at getting in to their World Cup starting lineup.
Will it happen?
6/10 – It’s a little un-Porto like and Nani may feel he’s above the Portugese league but it would be a great opportunity for both teams.
