Man Utd Could Sign £25m Argentine International ‘in the Coming Hours’

Benfica could be set to announce the transfer of Nicolás Gaitán to Manchester United ‘in the coming hours’ according to reports in Portugal

Portuguese newspaper Record are reporting the news that British tabloids have spread around in recent days that the Premier League giants have agreed a €35 million (£25m) deal with the Portuguese champions.

Reliable Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio also announced an agreement between the two clubs on Friday.

Gaitán is a forward, predominately a left winger but with experience on both the right and in the centre, who has been linked for Manchester United for some while now.

The 27-year-old would still be somewhat of a surprise transfer to United given the depth Louis van Gaal has on the wings – Memphis Depay, Ángel Di María and Ashley Young on the left, and Juan Mata and Di María on the right.

Van Gaal has already invested £25 million in young Dutch international Depay this summer and would be a surprise if he is converted to a striker instead of playing the left forward role where he has shone at PSV Eindhoven over the past couple of seasons.  He also scored two goals from that position in the 2014 World Cup under the United boss.

Nicolás Gaitán has just completed his fifth season with the Super Eagles following his move from Boca Juniors in 2010.  He is not a frequent goalscorer by any means with his best goal tally of seven in his first season in Portugal – a league where Benfica and FC Porto players often produce impressive numbers.  He has scored 14 goals in his 101 Primeira Liga games in the four following seasons.

The nine-time Argentine international does bring flair, great dribbling ability and creativity with him so Manchester United can be excited if this transfer gets announced this weekend or anytime during the course of the summer, but at age 27, fans would perhaps prefer to see their manager strengthening other areas on the pitch.

This transfer would likely increase the speculation surround Ángel Di María’s departure at Old Trafford this summer after struggling in his debut Premier League season.