A round-up of today’s Man Utd-based rumours.
United and PSG in direct competition for £47.5m star
Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have each made a bid of £47.5m for Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, according to Spanish source AS.
A host of top clubs have been linked with the Argentine World Cup wide-man in recent times as it has become apparent that Real are willing to let him leave this summer, despite his fine form for the club in 2013/14.
United are ready to make a big-money offer for the 26-year-old, but may face stiff competition from PSG for his signature, with the French giants able to offer Champions League football next season.
Battle with Arsenal for free transfer of goalkeeper
Manchester United will attempt to beat Arsenal to the signing of former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes this summer, according to the Daily Star.
The experienced shot-stopper is available on a free transfer ahead of next season after seeing out his contract at the Nou Camp, and a proposed move to AS Monaco looks to have fallen through.
A key player during his distinguished career with Barca, Valdes would bring in fierce competition for the number one places at both Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium if he does move to the Premier League.
Juventus want £45m and two players for Vidal
Manchester United may have to offer a deal worth around £62m to Juventus if they want to sign Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal this summer, according to the Daily Star.
The 27-year-old would command a transfer fee of at least £50m, while the Italian giants are also keen on signing either Nani or Patrice Evra as part of the deal as well, with an exchange involving the Portuguese winger worth something in the region of an extra £12m.
Vidal has been one of the best midfielders in Europe for the last few years, forming a formidable partnership alongside former United star Paul Pogba in Juve’s midfield.
Vidal move could ruin Arsenal’s transfer plans
If United do pursue a big-money move for Arturo Vidal, it could pave the way for Juventus to match an offer of £34m made by Arsenal for the signing of Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez, according to the Daily Mail.
Arsenal are currently the favourites to sign the Chilean forward, with a deal all but agreed for him to move to the Emirates Stadium, but Barcelona are waiting on an offer from Juventus, who are also interested.
Still, the Serie A champions will need to sell before they can buy, and may be open to offers for Vidal or for in-demand youngster Paul Pogba.
Van Gaal tells club to sell midfield flops
New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is claimed to have told the club to get rid of midfield pair Marouane Fellaini and Wilfried Zaha, according to the Daily Express.
The Dutchman is keen to clear out some of the under-performers from this United squad after a disappointing season last year, and has identified these two players as weak points who can leave.
It is thought that both players could leave for significantly cheaper than they were brought in for, with van Gaal unimpressed by either of them.