Real deal: Benfica's flying winger Di Maria is
heading for the Bernabeu
Real Madrid look set to beat Manchester City
to the £30million signing of Argentina winger Angel di
Maria.
The Benfica star was targeted as a replacement for inconsistent
Brazilian Robinho at Eastlands and had also interested
Manchester United,
Chelsea and Barcelona.
But sources in Argentina insist a summer move to the Bernabeu is
all but agreed, despite late interest from Juventus, who were
preparing a bid worth £25m plus former Chelsea midfielder
Tiago.
Di Maria terrorised Everton, among others, in the Europa League
this season and will clinch the Portuguese League title with
Benfica this weekend.
Benfica had Di Maria tied to a £34m release clause but the
skilful forward has increasingly outgrown the club he joined for
£5.75m from Rosario Central in 2007.
Benfica have already agreed the £7.2m signing of 22-year-old
fellow Argentine Nicolas Gaitan, who is seen as a straight
replacement.
Cristiano Ronaldo, whose agent Jorge Mendes also represents Di
Maria, is said to have been keen on Madrid completing the deal.
If completed, it would raise serious questions about Franck
Ribery's summer destination.
The Bayern Munich winger appears to be leaning towards a move to
Barcelona rather than Madrid or his English suitors
Chelsea.
