Manchester United are being linked with a possible move
for reigning South American Player of the Year, Paraguay
international Salvador Cabanas.
The striker, who plays for Mexican club America, was crowned his
continent’s finest player by El Pais at the end of 2007 after his
33 goals in the calendar year saw him named the world’s
second-highest scorer at club level by Fifa.
Such goalscoring exploits in Mexico have caught the eye of
United who, according to reports in South America, have now sought
to investigate the possibility of signing the 27-year-old who
scored three goals in four games at last summer’s Copa America
finals.
Cabanas – nicknamed ‘Chava’ – has not established his long-term
future with America and with his contract expiring in 12 months
time, his agent Jose Maria Gonzalez has confirmed that United are
showing an interest in his client.
“I had a call regarding Chava, and in order to know if it was a
serious thing I sent a fax and the club allowed this person to
speak on their behalf,” Gonzalez told Telediario.
“We talked and I asked him to call me again after May 5, because
by that point I had planned to meet with people from America to
agree terms for the early signing of a new contract for Chava.
“We should expect more until December because Fifa allows you to
negotiate a preliminary contract with the club you want, six months
before the end of your contract.”
Cabanas first rose to prominence with Paraguayan side 12 de
Octubre and subsequent spells at Audax Italiano of Chile and
Jaguares of Mexico established him as a goalscorer of some repute
in the region.
After scoring 59 goals in 103 appearances for Jaguares, America
pounced and his exploits continued to attract a wider audience
despite the club losing the Copa Sundamerica final to Arsenal de
Sarandi back in December.
Cabanas himself admits his future at America is currently up in
the air, stating: “Who knows if I will stay? I do not know what
will happen.”
Cabanas' stocky stature is reminiscent of current United star
Carlos Tevez, who was his contemporary's predecessor in being named
South American Player of the Year in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
