So far, Arsenal might have been the club linked to the most players compared to the rest of the big teams in England or perhaps in Europe, but without any result. Possibly someone from rival club Manchester United, who has outgrown his welcome there, might be the one to break the deadlock, as Nani is closer than ever to leaving Old Trafford.
Nani has been on his way out for the good part of a year, after a disappointing 2011-2012 season and a much worse campaign this year, playing only 11 times in the Premier League. Part of his absence had to do with an injury he couldn’t shake, but a lot had to do with his poor form on either wing and his attitude behind the scenes.
He tried to find a way out of the club after his demands for a new contract (some suggest he asked for £150,000 per week) were turned down. United tried to sell him to Zenit, but Nani made ridiculous wage demands in order to torpedo the deal. It seemed he was intent on leaving United with nothing once his contract runs out in 2014.
But a year has passed, and Nani did make an effort to somehow please Alex Ferguson in 2013. In the end, all that will be remembered from him this season is his red card against Real Madrid, even if it was a referee mistake. He isn’t pleased with the situation he’s in, and should a decent offer from a big club (champions league being the magic word) come along, both United and Nani would be inclined to accept.
Ferguson has been wondering about the Portuguese winger since the turmoil and split between him and United became public news, and it looks as if his first candidate for strengthening the attack, Stevan Jovetic, won’t be arriving this summer, so Nani, who few argue his talent and ability to perform at the highest of levels, becomes the ideal target.
According to reports in England, he’ll be costing around £15 million if Arsenal do set their sights on signing him, hoping his behavior problems won’t get in the way or some wage demands that threaten to destroy the structure Wenger is so proud of. United have also been thinking of using Nani in some sort of exchange deal with a Portuguese club (Benfica or Porto), but the departures of Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez to Monaco has narrowed down their interest in those clubs and their players.