Man Utd poised to land Angel di Maria, but Benatia says no
Real Madrid winger could finally be be on his way to Old Trafford in £48m deal
It's a familiar refrain, heard every summer for the last few years, but could this be the season Angel di Maria finally ends up playing for one of the Premier League big guns? The Real Madrid star has been linked to everyone from Arsenal to Man City in the past, but now, the Daily Mirror reports, Manchester United are "in the box seat" to sign the Argentine winger after rivals Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from the race.
The French champions were penalised last season for failing to hit their Financial Fair Play targets, and they're obliged to show more fiscal prudence this summer. As a result they won't be able to accommodate Real Madrid star Di Maria in their wage structure, having already stumped up £50m for Brazilian defender David Luiz (money they must now be regretting given his disastrous displays in the World Cup).
So with PSG pulling out of the race, the Mirror says Manchester United are in pole position to snap up the Argentine winger. All that remains is to agree a fee with Real Madrid with the Mirror saying the European champions "are demanding £48m".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Manchester City have shaken off the disappointment of losing to Arsenal in Sunday's Community Shield final by announcing another of their big names has committed to the club. With David Silva and Vincent Kompany having already put pen to paper this week, Sergio Aguero has done likewise.
The Guardian reports that the 26-year-old Aguero, who arrived at the Etihad in 2011 from Atletico Madrid, has penned a new five year deal. And in doing so the Argentine – who scored 28 goals in 34 games last season for the champions – said: "Ever since I came here, during every close season, there have always been rumours suggesting that I might be returning to Spain. There has always been this speculation, but I certainly never pay much attention to it. People hear this stuff flying around and they take it seriously, but I can tell the fans and everyone at City to relax – I'm going to be here until I see out my contract."
It looks like Manchester United's chances of landing Mehdi Benatia are disappearing faster than a squirt of vanishing spray. According to Metro the Moroccan international centre-back has "ruled out moving away from Roma" this summer, despite the interest of United gaffer Louis van Gaal. Chelsea and Tottenham have also been having a sniff but Benatia has responded to the rumours with a message from Roma's training camp in Austria. Telling them to "relax", Benatia said he was "staying put" and had no intention of leaving the Italian capital.
In other news Southampton continue to ship in fresh blood after most of their established stars jumped ship this summer. Talksport reports that the Saints have not only signed Shane Long, as we reported yesterday, but also Romania international defender Florin Gardos. The 25-year-old arrives at St Mary's on a four-year deal from Romanian champions Steaua Bucharest with Talksport claiming that a fee of around £6m has been agreed. Capped 12 times by his country, Gardos is the Saints' seventh signing and manager Ronald Koeman declared: "I am very happy to have Florin here. He's still a young player so he can develop himself a lot more, and that's part of the ambition of Southampton."
Also in chipper mood is everyone at Tottenham following the announcement on their website that 21-year-old striker Harry Kane has signed a new deal. Declaring themselves "delighted" with the news, Tottenham added that the new contract will tie Kane to the Lane until 2019. Capped five times by England Under-21s, Kane is regarded by manager Mauricio Pochettino as one of the most exciting young frontmen in England.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Can England's Euros team hold their nerve?
Today's Big Question Three Lions' 'lopsided' opening win over Serbia raises more questions than it answers
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published