Manchester United F.C. have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Sporting Clube de Portugal regarding the transfer of defender Marcos Rojo.
The deal is worth €20 million, subject to agreement of personal terms and a medical.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign defender Marcos Rojo, subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms,” read a statement on United’s official website.
“A further announcement will be made when the process is complete.”
In addition, Portugal international winger Nani, who was handed a new five-year deal by then United boss David Moyes last term, will return to Sporting on a season-long loan deal, with surfacing reports suggesting the Red Devils will pay the player’s £120,000-a-week in wages.
“It’s a dream to play at Manchester United and I am very proud of having the chance of working with [Louis] van Gaal,” Rojo said.
“I spoke with Juan Sebastian Veron about Manchester United when we were at Estudiantes. I have always liked English football, and I should adapt to this new playing style easily.”
Rojo, who scored five goals in 61 appearnaces in all competitions for Sporting, made six appearances for Argentina at this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
Simeone praises Di Maria
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has dubbed Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria the club’s “best player” following the 1-1 between the two sides in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday.
The Argentina international, 26, appears to be on the verge of joining Manchester United for a rumoured fee of around £50 million.
It is believed United are willing to offer Di Maria a five-year contract worth around £200,000-a-week.
“In the second half Real Madrid played better when Di Maria entered the pitch,” Simeone told Marca.
“It’s logical because he is the best player they have.
“I truly believe that Di Maria is the most destabilising player they have and that makes Madrid play well.
“He complicated our lives a little bit defensively.”
Although it would hard to accept Di Maria is Real Madrid’s “best player” — that title should be restricted to Cristiano Ronaldo alone, the suggestion that Di Maria is a better plan than new signing James Rodríguez is easily justifiable.
The former is absolutely fantastic in one-on-one situations, has blistering pace and contributes more defensively throughout matches, while James has better vision. In short, you cannot go wrong with either player.
However, Carlo Ancelotti remains uncertain whether Di Maria will stay at the Bernabéu this summer.
“I don’t know what Di Maria has decided,” Ancelotti said. “But I know that he’s training and that he will help us.
“Until August 31 it will continue the same way and after that everything will be cleared up and things will return to normal.”
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