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Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are in advanced stages of their negotiations over the transfer of Angel Di Maria, but the French club have offered only £28.5m to buy the winger, according to a report in The Guardian. The offer from the cash-rich club is less than half of the £59.7 million fee that was paid by United to Real Madrid last summer, and the Premier league club will be looking to hold out for more money as they try to reclaim at least some of the investment they made on the British transfer record signing.
Di Maria has been linked to a host of clubs since enduring a disappointing first season at Old Trafford, and recent reports have suggested that the two clubs were close to striking a £45 million deal, according to The Metro. But PSG’s bid is much lower than the player’s valuation, prompting the executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to resist their offer as he seeks a better deal.
The Argentinian international was on holiday after representing his country in the Copa America, and was expected to arrive at United’s base in California for their pre-season preparations but he and Rojo both missed their flight to the United States. While Van Gaal explained that Rojo had passport issues, he failed to provide any details about Di Maria, which further increased the speculation about his potential transfer.
Van Gaal has publicly accepted that the diminutive winger wants to leave this season, after failing to establish himself in the Dutchman’s side. The turning point in his 2014/15 season came when he was sent off in United’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal, after which the manager didn’t start him until the United’s final game, which was played two months later.
Laurent Blanc optimistic about signing Di Maria
Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc seemed optimistic about the Ligue 1 side’s chances of luring Di Maria to France, and spoke about it at a media conference:"The matter is close to being finished," he said, according to ESPN.
"I'm rather positive about it but, in transfers, we have seen what can happen - so as long as it's not official,” he trailed off.
The Frenchman added: "When I tell you that, it's the truth. The most important thing is to see him in the PSG squad. But as you know, he belongs to a great club called Manchester United. Be patient!"
Di Maria, who is still suffering from a thigh injury he picked up at the Copa America, could become Paris Saint-Germain’s third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Kevin Trapp from Frankfurt and Benjamin Stambouli from Tottenham Hotspur.
