Di Maria could cost Manchester United €188m

The Old Trafford club have made a
breakthrough in their pursuit of the Real
Madrid winger, with negotiations set to
continue on Sunday
Aug 24, 2014 12:59:00
By Paul Clennam
Manchester United may
have to spend a staggering
€188 million to wrap up a
deal for Real Madrid
forward Angel Di Maria .
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the
player will leave the club this summer and it is
understood United have edged closer to the
signing of the Argentina international , who is keen
to link up with Louis van Gaal.
And the Old Trafford club are facing a significant
outlay if they are to secure the signature of the
26-year-old winger.
Madrid are aiming to receive somewhere in the
region of €80m and €90m for Di Maria, though
the initial fee paid by United could be lower with
bonuses and add-ons supplementing the deal.
Di Maria, meanwhile, could pocket a €6m signing-
on fee and sign a five-year contract worth close to
the €375,000-a-week wage earned by Wayne
Rooney.
United have secured just three signings this
summer, bringing in Ander Herrera from Athletic
Bilbao for around €35m, left-back Luke Shaw in a
deal which could rise to €38m, and €20m for
Argentina defender Marcos Rojo.
After a disappointing transfer window so far, the
pressure is on Old Trafford executive vice-
chairman Ed Woodward to complete a move for Di
Maria.
Indeed, Woodward is understood to be desperate
to seal the signing of the winger, who has been a
target for United over several weeks.
Di Maria has moved ever closer to a Madrid exit
as the start of the new season in Spain has
approached.
The winger was not in the squad for the second
leg of the Spanish Super Cup defeat to rivals
Atletico, and Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has
confirmed the player has said his goodbyes ahead
of his departure. "Di Maria has not come here to
train, just to say goodbye," he told reporters. "It's
not official yet, but everything is being sorted. We
thanked him for what he has given the club and
we wished him good luck.
"I have had a very good relationship with Di
Maria. He has done a fantastic job at Real Madrid.
We are able to replace him very well.
"It was his decision, because the club did
everything possible to keep him, offering
everything we could to have him here. He decided
otherwise, so good luck to him."
Negotiations to complete the deal are set to
continue on Sunday.