Di Maria
Superagent Jorge Mendes has a grand plan that involves Manchester United winning the race to sign Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria.
According to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, Mendes will bring James Rodriguez to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, paving the way for Di Maria
to join United.
Rodriguez, also a United transfer target, has been one of the stars of the World Cup and currently leads the tournament with five goals as we approach the
quarter-final stage.
Mendes, who often finds himself at the centre of most of football’s biggest transfer deals, will negotiate on behalf of Rodriguez. The Colombian International is keen to leave Monaco to capitalise on
his stunning form, with Real Madrid a contender.
And while Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti does not want to lose Di Maria, he will relent if the defending Champions League winners can secure Rodriguez as
a direct replacement.
A potential sticking point is the fee. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is demanding €50m for Di Maria, while Monaco reportedly want as much as
€90m for Rodriguez.
United can afford to pay that, even after spending more than £50m on Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw.
New boss Louis Van Gaal has up to £125m to spend, and is under instruction to get United back in the Champions League after last season’s seventh placed finish.{Gms}
