Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are in advanced negotiations for Angel Di Maria, with the French club having offered €40m to buy the 27-year-old.
The fee is less than half the British record €83.9m United paid Real Madrid for Di Maria 12 months ago. Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, is thought to be resisting PSG's offer as he seeks a higher price.
Although Louis van Gaal had wanted the Argentinian to stay the manager now accepts Di Maria wishes to leave and so there would be some surprise if he were still at the club when the transfer window closes on September 1st.
Di Maria’s location continues to be unknown. He was expected to arrive at United’s base in San Jose, California, on Saturday after the 3-1 tour victory against Barcelona but failed to do so.
Last season he struggled to establish himself in Van Gaal’s side. After he was sent off in United’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal the manager did not start him again until the final game of the season, at Hull City, more than two months later.
Di Maria’s compatriot Marcos Rojo also failed to arrive in San Jose. It is unclear whether the defender will be fined; he is believed to have now renewed his passport though he may also have been unable to enter the United States after being arrested last year in his homeland.
Pedro replacement
United are understood to be stepping up the attempt to sign the Barcelona forward Pedro, who has a €31m release clause. The 27-year-old is minded to join United and if personal terms can be agreed the Spaniard could become Van Gaal’s sixth close season signing.
