Of course Paris Saint-Germain tried to buy Adnan Januzaj. Even before The Guardian’s Manchester United point man Daniel Taylor reported that this evening, we should have known. Much-discussed, coveted by others, and evidently possessing both a heart beat and a regular breathing pattern, Januzaj has all the characteristics PSG needs. Of course the Parisians would make a call.
According to Taylor, that called ended with a $23 million bid from the Ligue 1 champions, a bid that embraces Januzaj’s current worth while ignoring his immense potential. Signed to a five-year deal that will pay him about $5 million per season (plus an $8.25 million signing bonus), Januzaj is not quite the financial steal his age would imply, yet if he improves as expected, Januzaj could save United millions compared to wages for similarly skilled players. Paying him so much so early, United are accepting some risk Januzaj won’t develop, but given how the attacker’s performed thus far this season, that risk seems minimal.
Having come through the United academy, Januzaj will be able to be registered as a home-grown player, and at only 18 years, he won’t have to be registered as one of the team’s 25 over-21 players for another three years. Add in the value of his already growing popularity, the attachment United undoubtedly has to a player they’ve brought through, and the pure value Januzaj would have on the open market, and there’s little reason the Red Devils would sell for anything close to PSG’s bid.
In that way, PSG sounds like the annoying owner in your fantasy league, just throwing offers at the wall to see if one sticks.
“Absolutely not, PSG. What makes you think I’d accept that offer?”
“You never know unless you try, am I right?”
“No, you should have known before you tried, this time.”
PSG did try. It was also was rejected, with The Guardian reporting United “do not want to negotiate about a player David Moyes has said is talented enough to become one of the great modern-day players.”
So there.
