What’s the story?
Barcelona have reportedly agreed on a deal with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for Angel di Maria, with the fee reported to be around €60 million by Spanish outlet Don Balon. The former Manchester United man has not been in the best of form for the Ligue 1 outfit but has been identified by the Barcelona management as a replacement for Andres Iniesta.
Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria’s teammate for Argentina is also rumoured to be very keen on the deal.
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Angel di Maria, now 29-years-old, has still three to four solid years ahead of him. Although he played for Real Madrid for four seasons, if Barcelona knocks on the door (which they apparently have), it is highly likely he will make the move to Camp Nou.
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The Argentine international has been a mainstay for PSG for two seasons now, after an unsuccessful spell at Old Trafford. In the 42 appearances this season for the Paris outfit, he scored 15 goals (two of which came against Barcelona) and has a further 8 assists.
The heart of the matter
Angel di Maria’s playing style and his last season at Real Madrid proved that he is more than capable of playing in midfield. The inside left position at Barcelona is very much up for grabs with Iniesta visibly on the wane, and will probably be eased out of the first team like Xavi in his last season with the club.
The former Real Madrid man has the experience to play in the La Liga and has European pedigree (Man of the Match in Champions League 2014) to lead Barcelona’s rebuilding process.
What’s Next?
The player needs too obviously agree on the deal, which will be an interesting decision given his Madrid connections. His relationship with Lionel Messi should obviously help in the process.
Angel di Maria has moved for loads and loads of money throughout his career, and the move back to Spain might be the last big move of his journeyman like but successful career.
Author’s Take
The left side of Barcelona with Angel di Maria, Jordi Alba, and Neymar will set tongues wagging into all corners. However, the deal, give he is 29-years-old might not be the ideal one from an investment point of view.
A player like a Bernardo Silva or Marco Veratti makes a lot more sense than the Argentine international. But, then again common sense is not common to all.
