Increasingly it appear Ángel Di María will be sold, and with few teams having the financial weight to both fund a purchase and cover what will surely be steep wages, it’s no wonder the list of potential buyers has been whittled down to one name. Manchester United, thought to be a big buy over the summer window’s final week, have made a breakthrough in negotiations with Real Madrid, who appear willing to offload their want-away star to the Red Devils for $80 million.
The progress comes after Di María’s refusal to sign a new contract with the European champions, a development that’s forced head coach Carlo Ancelotti to admit the player wants to go. Having held out hope of retaining the Man of the Match from last May’s Champions League final, Ancelotti is less optimistic the versatile midfielder can be retained in his crowded squad.
From The Guardian:United, who have been linked all summer with a deal to sign the 26-year-old Argentina international, are understood to be in advanced talks over a deal worth more than £48m.
On Thursday the Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Di María had turned down the offer of a new contract. “Di María asked to go,” he said. “The player has to look for a solution. He’s a Real Madrid player and until 31 August, as I’ve already said, anything can happen.”
Other sources report the fee will be slightly higher -- closer to $92 million -- with a wage package that has eclipsed the players’ other suitors. Either fee would represent a club record for United, who set their mark earlier this year while luring Juan Mata away from Chelsea in January.
As The Guardian notes, United had faced competition for Di María from French champions Paris Saint-Germain, competition that waned after the Parisians’ president confessed financial restrictions would prevent the move.
With the Argentine tempted by the prospect of inheriting the seven shirt worn by George Best and Eric Cantona, the deal looks like it’s in its final stages. At this price, and at these wages, the only thing that may hijack a move would be Real Madrid convincing its star to stick around.
