IN SPORT.ES
Like the stock market, Barça’s transfer targets go up and down in the blink of an eye. At the start of the summer Verratti was the target, then Dembélé and Coutinho, and now Ángel Di Maria. Barça have been in contact with the player in recent days, and if he does sign, these will be the reasons why.
VERSATILITY
Di Maria plays as a winger for PSG but at Real Madrid he was often a midfielder in a 4-3-3. The player is most comfortable driving forward from wide, but his quality and work rate mean he can play more inside too. That said, if Valverde does decide to play 4-2-3-1, Di Maria would only be able to play on the wing.
BEATING A MAN
The departure of Neymar means that Barça are short of players who love beating their marker one-on-one. He could also take over Neymar’s set piece duties.
PACE
This Barça team lacks pace in the transitions, and Di Maria’s pace with and without the ball is a deadly weapon that he has used against Barça in the past. He’s not only fast, he loves passes into space, something the team is also missing since Neymar left.
‘FEELING’ WITH MESSI
Perhaps the most superficial thing in his favour. Di Maria and Messi are friends and Argentina teammates with a good understanding on the pitch as well. Messi would like to see his compatriot at the club and his arrival would mean there would be a new trident.
ATTITUDE
Di Maria is a thorn in the side of opponents and doesn’t stop running during a match, on and off the ball. He gives everything for the team and the Camp Nou always loves players who give their all.
THE NEGATIVE: INJURIES
As an explosive player, Di Maria is susceptible to muscle injuries, which can stop him getting into peak condition as soon as he would like.