It's a very common question by neutral observers
"Why would SU buy a striker who has struggled this season"
There's a simple answer.
For the last 6 months of this contract Ched Evans was one of the best strikers I've seen play for United since Brian Deane, he was ripping league 1 apart, head and shoulders better than league 1 standard, the best player in that league making us almost a 1 man team. Based on that standard in todays market Ched would be worth 5 to 10 million, put it this way I'd rather have the Ched of 2012 instead of £10 million Jordan Rhodes.
So it's a gamble paying up to 500K for someone that we know has the potential to be a £5 million + player.
Also when you consider Wilders superb track record of resurrecting careers and getting the best out of players then it's doesn't seem so crazy.