Gunners tried to sign the South American last summer and were expected to make an improved offer for his services next month.
Unsettled Real Madrid wide man Angel Di Maria is now “very close” to joining mega-rich Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco when the winter transfer window opens again for business in the new year, according to reports in Sport24.
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The brilliant Argentina international has found himself surplus to requirements at times at the Santiago Bernabeu so far this season under the leadership of new los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti following the big-money arrival of Wales playmaker Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
And despite the fact that the Italian opted to keep hold of Di Maria in the Spanish capital ahead of Germany midfield player Mezut Ozil when given an ultimatum by club president Florentino Perez at the start of this campaign, the player has still often found himself the odd man out at times in attack.
As a result, Di Maria is now expected to quit the La Liga giants at the turn of the year and join some of the biggest and most recognisable players on Planet Football in the South of France, with Monaco said to be preparing a £21.2 million offer for the 25-year-old, who has a contract at Real that currently runs until June 30 2018.
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