Manager Revealed Man Utd Indeed Made a €30m bid for Argentinean Midfielder

Man Utd were strongly linked with a move for Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan in the summer transfer window. Any move failed to materialize back then, and many even questioned the validity of the rumours.

However, Al Ahli manager, Cosmin Olaroiu, has now confirmed that the Red Devils indeed made a €30m bid for the Argentine player. But the Portuguese club rejected United’s bid and accepted Al Ahli’s €35m bid.

But the transfer broke down after the player refused to move to the Middle East club.

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

The 27-year old has since then signed a new deal with the Portuguese club. The Red Devils refrained from making a new offer for the player’s services in the January transfer window, but they might reignite their interest next summer.

He has scored three goals in Champions League group stage this season. Louis van Gaal was the one chasing Benfica midfielder, but it’s unlikely United will make a bid in the summer as recent reports suggest that Van Gaal will resign after the season. United are already in talks with Jose Mourinho and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.