Man Utd Transfer News: Fergie Seals ‘Informal Agreement’ For €35m International

Manchester United have secured an ‘informal agreement’ to sign Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan at the end of the season. 

Sir Alex Ferguson has been tracking the Argentinean international for some time and was impressed with how Gaitan performed when he played against United in this seasons Champions League group stages.

The Telegraph has reported that United entered negotiations for the player in November but Benfica were holding out for €45m – the amount of Gaitan’s release clause – due to the players former club Boca Juniors being entitled to 20% of any sale.

Ferguson refused to pay that amount and was trying to secure a deal that would see the 23-year-old come to Old Trafford in January. However, Benfica refused to release the player next month due to their continued participation in the Champions League.

Reports have claimed that the two clubs have now agreed a deal thought to be worth around €35m (£29.3m) which will see the midfielder move at the end of the season.

Man Utd have beaten off competition from the likes of Inter Milan and PSG for Gaitan, who can operate as an attacking central midfielder or on the left.