Real Madrid are reportedly targeting Manchester United striker Robin van Persie in a January swoop but a transfer deal for the Dutch international would make little sense for Los Blancos.
As reported by the Daily Express' Ben Jefferson, FIFA agent Francois Gallardo believes Real will add Van Persie to their strike force, just months after bringing in the Red Devils' Javier Hernandez on loan.
The arrival of Radamel Falcao has supposedly made Van Persie surplus to requirements for United, which could lead to the Dutchman being available for a reduced transfer fee.
Gallardo is known for his absurd claims—for instance, as reported by 101greatgoals.com, he told Spanish TV show El Chiringuito Lionel Messi would leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain during the summer of 2014.
And as shared by Sport Witness' Tom Coast, he was also convinced Real Madrid would go after new Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck:
François Gallardo has announced on La Sexta that #RMCF will target #MUFC’s Danny Welbeck to replace Alvaro Morata.
— Tom Coast (@thcoast) July 11, 2014
Gallardo has been right with plenty of his outrageous claims in the past, but more often than not, he just tries to stir the pot and ends up being dead wrong.
Van Persie has given no indication whatsoever he sees the arrival of Falcao as a threat to his playing time. If anything, he sounded excited about the prospect of playing with the likes of Falcao, via Jefferson:
I can't wait to go and train and play with the world class players we have signed.
That feeling, that we are going to perform well, has only got stronger after the buying of players over the last weeks.
I find it very exciting, the arrival of all those new players.
For me personally, it's brilliant to go and play with some of the best players in the world. It's great that I can go and train and play with them every day.
The Dutch international moved to the Premier League in 2004, signing for Arsenal, and when it became clear he would leave the Gunners in 2012, it was speculated he turned down a move to Juventus for the simple reason that his family had gotten used to living in England.
Veteran players don't just uproot their entire family after a decade of playing in the same country. Van Persie's children speak English and go to English schools. Add the connection with compatriot Louis van Gaal, and he simply has very little reason to leave United.
Real Madrid arguably have even less reason to pursue a transfer. Van Persie is a sensational poacher, but in Carlo Ancelotti's system, he would lose much of his effectiveness.
Karim Benzema is a perfect fit for Los Blancos because of his work rate and ability to hold onto the ball and find passing lanes for advancing players. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and a host of other midfielders take care of the scoring—Benzema makes sure they find themselves in position to do so.
That's not Van Persie's game. He doesn't have Benzema's physicality or his athletic ability, and he's not as skilled when playing with his back to the goal. He's a pure finisher with the vision to always be in the right place at the right time.
It's conceivable Madrid would want to add a player like that, as a bench option to bring on when the team is in need of a goal. But Hernandez already fills that role, and if Ancelotti wanted more, he could go for a cheaper and much younger option than Van Persie.
The United man is 31 years old and nearing the end of his physical peak. There's no upside to a transfer, no value beyond perhaps a strong option off the bench for one or two seasons.
Would Van Persie give up his life in Manchester to become a bench player in Madrid? Not a chance. And would Los Blancos spend a reported £20 million (per Jefferson) on an aging striker who doesn't fit their system? Florentino Perez likes his stars, but there's a line even he wouldn't cross.
Gallardo once again managed to make headlines with this latest suggestion, but it's no more than that. Unless Perez has got something up his sleeve, don't expect Van Persie to move to the Spanish capital in January.
Source: Bleacher Report
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