FC Barcelona are planning to launch an audacious bid for PSG’s Angel Di Maria according to reports in Spain. Luis Enrique is apparently a huge fan of the Argentinian and is keeping tabs on his situation at PSG, it is reported that the former Manchester United player will cost them around €55M if rumours are to be believed. Di Maria joined PSG from Manchester United in the summer of 2015 for a fee of €63M.
According to a contract leak by Football Leaks, Real Madrid had inserted an ‘anti-Barcelona’ clause into Di Maria’s contract, which took him to Manchester United after the Blaugrana’s keen interest on the player. The paperwork said that United would have to pay Real €50million if they sold Di Maria to Barcelona before the end of the summer transfer window in 2015.
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There was also a penalty of €40million imposed on United if they decided to sell the player to the Catalans before the end of the summer 2016 transfer window and one of €30million if they sold him to Barcelona before the end of his United contract. The penalties even applied if United sold him to a non-Spanish rival, who then, in turn transferred Di Maria to a Spanish club other than Real Madrid.
Di Maria is reportedly disinterested with life at PSG, especially after the Parisians threw away their chance to top the group in the UEFA Champions League, in addition to a mediocre season in Ligue 1.
Di Maria enjoyed a fruitful spell in La Liga with Real Madrid
The clauses underline the depth of hostility between Real and Barcelona, and give a taste of the obstacles placed on major transfers between world football's biggest clubs. However, now that Di Maria has moved on to France, Luis Enrique is expected to re-ignite Barcelona’s old interest in the player amidst rumours of Di Maria wanting to move back to Spain where he enjoyed the best part of his career.
Di Maria had a joyful period in Spain with Real Madrid after signing for the Spanish giants back in 2010 from Benfica for a fee of £21M. The winger made around 190 appearances for the Los Blancos and also managed to register 36 goals in his five seasons with the club.
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He was also the Man of the match in Real’s 2014 Champions league final triumph over city rivals Atletico Madrid. The 28-year-old also won several trophies including the Champions League, La Liga and Copa Del Rey and several continental titles to go with.
Di Maria was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £44.4million in the summer of 2015 after a disastrous spell at Old Trafford under the then manager Louis van Gaal.
