Man Utd Trump Liverpool After Agreeing Deal To Sign Argentinean Attacker

With the summer transfer window finally open for business, managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads ahead of next season so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Man Utd close in on yet another signing….

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Liverpool target Nicolas Gaitan after agreeing a deal to sign the Argentinean attacker from Benfica, according to the Express.

Gaitan enjoyed another excellent campaign in Portugal last season with his 16 assists and 4 goals in 36 games helping Benfica win the Primeira Liga title to qualify for the Champions League.

The 27-year-old should be a familiar name with many fans as he’s constantly been linked with a move to the Premier League and this summer has been no exception with various reports linking him with both Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Metro reported earlier in the summer that Benfica president Luis Filipe Viera had flown over to the UK to hold talks with United officials while the Daily Star then claimed that Liverpool were hoping to hijack their rivals potential deal.

Cassiano Pereira, the agent of Rafael da Silva, was then quoted by the Express last week as confirming that United were in talks with Benfica about a potential swap deal involving the full-back and Gaitan.

“Benfica and Man United are in negotiations over Gaitán and one offer includes Rafael to join Benfica,”

“Rafael wants to join Benfica. It’s a big European club. If the talks proceed, it won’t be difficult to reach an agreement.” Pereira is quoted as saying by the Express

It appears things are now coming to a head as the Express are reporting today that United have finally found an agreement with Benfica and Gaitan is set to become the Red Devils fifth signing of the summer.

The newspaper doesn’t give any specific details about this supposed deal, such as a transfer fee, but they seem confident that the Argentinean international is on his way to Old Trafford.

This news will come as a blow to Brendan Rodgers as Gaitan may have been ear-marked as a potential replacement for Raheem Sterling following his move to Manchester City but it looks as though the Northern Irishman will now have to look elsewhere.

If this report is accurate, then I think Gaitan will be a decent signing for United but his arrival could cast further doubt over the future of Angel Di Maria, with the attacker linked with a move to PSG in recent days.

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

Gaitan plays in very similar roles to his compatriot and I don’t think Louis van Gaal has room for both attackers in his squad, so if the former Boca Juniors man does become United’s latest signing then we may see Di Maria heading out the exit door.