Manchester United are looking to have the British record signing of Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria wrapped up by this evening.
United have made no official comment on the matter, but it is understood a fee has been agreed between them and Real that will eclipse the British record €63million Chelsea paid to Liverpool for Fernando Torres in 2011, with reports putting the figure at at least €75million.
It is also understood Di Maria – who bid farewell to his Real team-mates on Sunday – was flying to Manchester on Monday ahead of a medical. And the expectation is that the deal will be complete within around 24 hours, although not in time for the Argentina international to be involved in United’s League One Cup tie at MK Dons tonight.
However, the 26-year-old would be set for a debut in Saturday's Barclays Premier League match at Burnley. United boss Louis van Gaal would neither confirm nor deny anything with regard to the Di Maria situation after his side's 1-1 league draw at Sunderland on Sunday.
Everton move for Eto’o
Everton are close to signing the veteran striker Samuel Eto’o as Roberto Martínez seeks to increase his forward options before the transfer deadline.
The 33-year-old is a free agent following his release by Chelsea at the end of last season and had been Liverpool’s fall-back option in the event of Brendan Rodgers deciding against a move for Mario Balotelli.
However, with Balotelli sealing his €20m transfer from Milan to Anfield yesterday, Eto’o is poised to move to the other side of Stanley Park and there are suggestions he could be given a two-year contract.
Eto’o, once the highest paid player in the world at Anzhi Makhachkala, was looking for a six-figure weekly wage from Liverpool but would not earn that sum at Everton, although he is likely to bank a sizeable signing on fee as a free agent. The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Internazionale striker has also held talks with Ajax this summer and has options across Europe but is keen to remain in the Premier League.
Martínez is anxious to land another forward before next Monday’s deadline as Everton have little back-up for €35m record signing Romelu Lukaku with Arouna Koné out injured still recovering from a knee problem.
