Manchester United make move for Colombia World Cup star - report

A couple of days free from World Cup action gives us time to do some transfer daydreaming. Today's subject is Fiorentina's resident fullback terroriser Juan Cuadrado, for whom Manchester United have reportedly submitted a bid of €40 million.

That's according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, who are usually pretty good when it comes to their transfer news. Alas, they claim that the offer isn't quite big enough to reach the "indecent" level that would persuade club president Andrea Della Valle to sell his prized asset, though it probably wouldn't take too much more to lure the Colombian away.

It was only last month that Fiorentina officially bought the full rights to Cuadrado from Udinese for €15 million, having previously owned half of him in a co-ownership deal. But rather than buying him for themselves, it's plausible that they bought him outright in anticipation of being able to sell him on abroad for a much bigger profit.

If United do manage to meet the Viola valuation, Cuadrado would undoubtedly be a fantastic signing. The 26-year-old has starred at the World Cup on the back of two immense seasons in Serie A, terrorising defences with his pace and trickery, as well as a goalscoring knack of his own.

With Antonio Valencia having faded dramatically over the last few years, Louis van Gaal may well fancy adding a new winger to the right side of his attack. Cuadrado would fit the bill perfectly. All together now ...