Manchester United star Angel Di Maria won’t be able to join Barcelona because of a clause inserted in his contract by Real Madrid, reports Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.
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Bayern Munich and PSG are also interested in the winger according to the report, so this may not be the end of rumours linking him away from Old Trafford.
This comes just a day after the player revealed that he was unhappy with his situation at the Red Devils. The Independent reported that he said when asked if his poor debut season had affected him: “Yes. For me, and my family. Because not everything goes as I want, because I don’t play. Because I came with an intention and end up on the bench. It’s hard to tell how I feel there.
“I started well, with goals and assists. I was having a good time, until I was out. It’s a little hard to explain why I do not play.”
However, the Argentina international did also reaffirm his commitment to proving himself to manager Louis van Gaal: “No, because I’m not thinking like that. In Madrid there were times when I was whistled around the stadium but faced it and then it turned around. I like to deal with things.”
The former Benfica man is currently at the Copa America with his country and playing alongside Nou Camp legend Lionel Messi. The Barca man apparently wants his international teammate to join him at a domestic level as well according to The Sun. It looks like he will be disappointed though, as Los Blancos inserted clause when they sold the player to United that means he can’t be sold to the Blaugranas.
These rumours have come less than 12 months after the midfielder became Man Utd’s most expensive signing ever at what the BBC reported to be £59.7m. He started well at the Premier League side, scoring three goals and assisting another four in his first six games. However, in his 26 following matches the South American managed to net just once more, and only got six assists.
Towards the end of the campaign, even Ashley Young took Di Maria’s place in the side. This was particularly surprising as the former had been out of favour at the beginning of the season and was more often used in a wing-back or full-back role in the side, rather than as a direct rival for Di Maria’s position.