1st Summer Signing Identified: United to Spend €35m for ‘New Angel Di Maria’

Man Utd are set to renew their interest in Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan in the summer transfer window. The Red Devils have a long-term interest in the 27-year old, and Portuguese outlet Record claims that they will renew their interest in the player in summer.

Gaitan has a £35 million release clause in his agreement, and the report claims that United are prepared to activate the clause. They will face competition from Atletico Madrid, Zenit St. Petersburg, and AS Monaco for the player’s signatures.

Recently Middle-East club Al Ahli’s manager Cosmin Olaroiu claimed that United made a €30 million bid for the Argentine footballer in the last summer transfer window.

“We tabled €35m for Gaitan, which was above the €30m offered by Manchester United,” Olaroiu told Romanian outlet GSP. “We agreed the deal with Benfica, but the player turned the deal down.”

United are planning an improved €35m bid in the summer. Benfica signed Gaitan from Boca Juniors in 2010 as a replacement for Real Madrid-bound Angel Di Maria for a transfer fee of €8.4 million. That’s also the reason why Gaitan is sometimes called as a ‘next Di Maria’.

He has won two league titles during his time at the Portuguese club. Gaitan has made 11 assists and scored five goals in all competitions thus far in 2015/2015 season. Young winger is apparent first choice to boost the current squad and well fits Van Gaal’s plans.