It’s yet another week during this summer’s transfer window and Manchester United have been linked with yet another right-back.

With Everton’s Seamus Coleman now supposedly topping their transfer wish-list after Dani Alves decided to remain at Barcelona and United decided not to follow up on their interest in now Liverpool bound Nathaniel Clyne.

Going by last season injury seems to have stalled Rafael’s career at Old Trafford, with Louis van Gaal still unconvinced by the Brazilian. Antonio Valencia can deputise in that right sided defensive position but it’s not a role that is suited to him on a full time basis. Last year proved that both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling need more games as centre-backs. While question marks hang over youngster Guillermo Varela and whether or not he’s ready for a full season in the first team.

So I’d imagine that bringing in a new experienced full-back will be a priority for Van Gaal as he looks to strengthen his squad, so that they’re capable of challenging in both the English Premier League and the Champions League.

Coleman seems to be a very attractive option.

In the past few seasons at Goodison, the Irish attacking defender has shown that he can play consistently well in the English top flight. He is pacey and likes to bomb forward and help create attacks. That said he is also reliable when it comes to working back. He seems to have endless energy levels, something that will have impressed Dutch coach Louis.

Last season Coleman played in thirty-five league games for the ‘Toffees’, the only player at Man Utd to have played that amount or more last term was keeper David de Gea.

When you include Everton’s games in the Europa League last term then Seamus scored five goals last term, one more than United flop striker Radamel Falcao.

Although moving for Seamus Coleman would make a lot of sense, going in with a £15m bid would be a complete waste of time.

Before people point to Clyne’s impending £12.5m fee to Anfield, the Englishman is entering his last year on his contract. While Coleman has four years left on his current deal. Thus meaning everything is staked in Everton’s favour.

Mind the last time Man United went after some Everton players? 

They offered £30m for both Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines during the summer of 2013. On the final day of that summer transfer window, United managed to purchase just Belgian Fellaini for an inflated fee of £27.5m.

See Everton are no longer a selling club that they once were. They now have enough funds in the coffers to hold out for higher-end fees for star players.

It’s a big reason why Baines is still there.

Reports suggest that United value Everton’s reliable defender at around £15m.

A day after those reports surfaced the Toffees have been quoted as saying that Coleman is simply ‘not for sale’. Showing us that it will take a bigger bid than the £15m that has been mentioned.

I’d imagine that Manchester United would have to add £10m onto that £15m figure just to get Everton to discuss the possibility of letting the twenty-six year old leave Goodison.

Earlier this year Everton boss Roberto Martinez stated that he believes Coleman is better off staying in Merseyside:

“I still think that Seamus Coleman can develop and progress with Everton,”

“The good thing about a player such as Seamus is that he’s been growing over the years, but I still feel that now he’s got a bigger role to play in his career.”

“He’s become important in a team that we want to grow in order to achieve big things as well. Sometimes that’s better than going to a club in Europe where you’re not guaranteed to play.”

So considering the fact that Everton won’t bow down to Man United and sell for anything near £15m I think that signing Coleman will be a non-starter this summer.

I think Louis van Gaal will instead look at those options he still has; Rafael, Valencia and Varela and see if one of them can up their game during United’s up and coming US tour this preseason.

Should they fail to impress then maybe the Dutchman will make a large bid for Coleman but if I was to put a bet on it I’d say that Van Gaal will end up going for a cheaper option than the Irish international.

Posted on June 29th, 2015 by scott
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