Barcelona should avoid Di Maria bid at all costs
By Evan Siegel
Barcelona are in a position to sign just about anyone in the world given their monetary situation after the loss of Neymar. The massive transfer fee being given to Barca by Paris Saint Germain opens the door for Barcelona to add one of the world’s top players with the hopes of replacing the irreplaceable, Neymar.
Rumors about possible signings have been circulating for the past two weeks about candidates for the next big signing. Paulo Dybala, Philippe Coutinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and now Angel Di Maria have all been mentioned as possible additions to the team. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will score plenty of goals for Barcelona, but a third attacking option is crucial for a team dealing with Real Madrid domestically, and Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus across Europe.
Barcelona came painfully close to adding Philippe Coutinho. The young forward is said to be interested in a move to La Liga, but Liverpool appear intent on retaining him. For now, Barcelona appear to be shifting their attention and assets elsewhere as they search for a new star. Paulo Dybala may be too pricy even for Barcelona, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not the long-term answer the team wants at striker.
Barcelona is reportedly considering a massive Di Maria bid. With the arrival of Neymar, PSG’s front line is in a total logjam. Neymar, Di Maria, Edinson Cavani, Julian Draxler, Lucas Moura and Javier Pastore are all looking to solidify their spot in the starting XI. One of these stars may be on his way out.
Barca fans may be a little underwhelmed by the arrival of Di Maria. However, the team sees the Argentine as a similar player to Neymar who would not cause any attacking unfamiliarities to Luis Suarez or Lionel Messi. According to Sport, the team is confident that Di Maria could seamlessly fit into Barcelona’s attack.
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“Barcelona see him as a player with similar characteristics to Neymar, a winger with great quality and someone who can break through rival lines, play on both wings and defend better than Neymar did.” Barcelona have failed twice in their previous pursuits of Di Maria.
Di Maria has had an enigmatic career to this point. The twenty-nine year old enjoyed a great career while with Real Madrid, only to have a disappointing stint with Manchester United. His career with PSG has been up and down to this point, and the arrival of Neymar may be his ticket out the door.
Barcelona must avoid this purchase however. Di Maria is well past his prime, and would not deliver anything that opposing defenses have seen already. Barcelona needs a younger, more unpredictable star at any level of the team. This makes the pursuit of Coutinho more appealing, as the team simply has to find fresher and less injury prone legs.
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Ousmane Dembele, Danny Rose, or a possible reunion with Alexis Sanchez are better options for the team. Barcelona have every right to be optimistic about their hopes of pursuing another Champions League title as well as trying to stay clear of Real Madrid for the La Liga, but the team simply cannot overspend on an injury prone, over the hill winger who is simply a poor man’s Neymar.