Real Madrid’s Argentine forward Angel Di Maria will smash the UK transfer record with a £59.7million move to Manchester United.
The 26-year-old said his goodbyes at Real over the weekend despite the club wanting to keep him, Di Maria apparently unhappy that his wages were far below those of fellow attackers Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo while Colombian James Rodriguez, the World Cup golden boot winner, arrived in the summer.
“Normally a club who owns the very good players don’t like to sell them,” said former Real president Ramon Calderon.
Di Maria is set to be unveiled on Tuesday morning following a medical, which if successful would top the £50million Chelsea paid Liverpool for Fernando Torres in 2011.
United are also in the hunt for Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, the Chilean who impressed at the World Cup despite a bad knee, though there are concerns his knee is a ticking time bomb and, at 27, he may not represent the best value for money at over £30million.
Also on Louis van Gaal’s wishlist is fellow Dutchman Daley Blind, the defender thought to be worth around £15million.
Di Maria could well be seen in a United shirt as early as the weekend against Burnley, however on Van Gaal’s immediate radar is a trip to Milton Keynes in the Capital One Cup.
A stadium record crowd of around 29,000 is expected for #mufc‘s League Cup tie at MK Dons. Kick-off is 24 hours away. pic.twitter.com/hWPpw1JrBx
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 25, 2014
#mufc are back in action tonight, as Louis van Gaal’s side face MK Dons in the Capital One Cup second round. pic.twitter.com/OaH5KMpeDj
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 26, 2014
Main image courtesy of Real Madrid C.F. via YouTube, with thanks.
