File picture of Manchester United’s winger Ángel Di MaríÁa during the English Premier League match between against Burnley at Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain.
The Guardian/London
Paris Saint-Germain are hopeful of finalising a deal this weekend to buy Ángel Di María from Manchester United for around £40mn. This would be a significant loss on the £59.7mn record fee paid by United to Real Madrid last summer, even with the deal potentially containing another £5mn in add-ons.
Although United would not confirm the deal is close, it is understood that Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, is in final negotiations and it would be a surprise if the Argentina international did not depart the club. Di María failed to join United’s summer tour of the US on Saturday, with the manager, Louis van Gaal, saying after Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to PSG that he did not know where the player was. “I don’t want to answer that but you can keep asking,” said the Dutchman. “Maybe you know where he is. I don’t know.”
United’s loss on Di María is less than it appears on the face of it and is likely to total around £10mn when the changes to the euro exchange rate are factored in. They did not pay the €75mn fee to Madrid up front and the balance owing is lesÁs in sterling terms than had been anticipated when was struck.
Laurent Blanc, the PSG coach, added: “You know negotiations are in tandem [ongoing] and as Paris Saint-Germain [and United] are both big clubs, that can be difficult. But we feel we are close to the end.”
The French champions initially offered £28.5mn (€40mn) for Di María but that was swiftly rejected by United. The agreement could accelerate Van Gaal’s approach to sign Pedro from Barcelona, with reports in Spain suggesting the Spain winger will be allowed to leave if a bid of €25mn is received.
Terry backs ‘top player’ Falcao
John Terry has said it took him only 120 seconds to decide his new Chelsea teammate Radamel Falcao could succeed in the Premier League.
When the former England captain came up against the Colombian in April, during Manchester United’s visit to Stamford Bridge, Terry was left in no doubt as to whether the knee injury that had ruined Falcao’s World Cup hopes last summer had reduced the potency of a striker who struck fear into defences during spells at Porto and Atlético Madrid.
United lost 1-0 that day yet Terry saw enough to believe those who questioned Falcao for scoring only four goals in 29 United appearances should think again.
With Diego Costa facing a fitness test on a hamstring strain sustained against Barcelona in Washington DC on Tuesday, Falcao could make his full Chelsea debut in Sunday’s Community Shield against Arsenal at Wembley. Terry has high hopes.
“Literally after two minutes, he was backing in,” the defender said. “He did the same to Gary Cahill. The movement as well was excellent. For me, him and Harry Kane were the best players I came up against [last season].
“We had a little tussle on the floor 10 to 15 minutes later. He was up for it, was hungry and his movement and first touch were excellent. You get that feel as well. You can tell after a couple of minutes ... it’s: ‘I’ll give a bit and he’ll give a bit’.
“I just thought he was up for it that day and Gary felt the same. We are delighted to have him here because he’s a top, top player.”