Football
ESPN staff 10y

United agree Angel di Maria fee

Manchester United will hope to unveil Angel di Maria as English football's record signing on Tuesday after a fee was agreed with Real Madrid.

- Ancelotti: Khedira staying put
- Brewin: Woodward has to deliver Di Maria

United are set to pay 59.7 million pounds to bring the Argentina international to Old Trafford, according to ESPN FC sources, a fee which will eclipse the 50 million pounds Chelsea paid to Liverpool for Fernando Torres.

Di Maria jetted in on Monday night, arriving at a rainy Manchester Airport at 7 p.m. before heading to the club's Carrington training complex for talks. He is expected to complete the formalities of a medical on Tuesday morning before putting pen to paper on the contract.

On Sunday, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Di Maria was on his way out of the Bernabeu.

"It is not fully done, but he is close to a transfer," he said. "He came to say goodbye. We thanked him for what he has done for this team and we wished him luck for the future. It is not official, but it is resolved."

Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso -- formerly of Liverpool -- also tweeted: "Thank you for everything Fideo! I wish you the best, even though it is Manchester United :) We will never forget the zigzag in extra time in Lisbon."

However, United boss Louis van Gaal, speaking after his side's 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, remained coy over the deal.

He told Sky Sports: "I think always the club has to announce it and when we are thinking it's the right time for a transfer then we come to you and say: 'OK, we have bought that player or the other player.' But at this time we cannot say anything."

United face League One MK Dons in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, but Di Maria would not be eligible for that game even if his transfer is completed before then.

However, he would be available to make his debut at Burnley on Saturday provided that he is registered by midday on Friday.

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