Blanc: Di Maria Close To PSG Switch

Laurent Blanc claims Paris Saint-Germain are close to completing the signing of Manchester United midfielder Angel Di Maria.

United ended their tour of the United States on a disappointing note in the early hours of Thursday morning when they lost 2-0 to PSG at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago.

However, it was talk of Di Maria's future that dominated the post-match press conference, with Blanc suggesting that a deal to bring the 27-year-old to the French capital was nearing its conclusion.

"Manchester United and PSG are two big clubs and negotiations can be difficult, but we are close to the end," the PSG boss said.

Di Maria joined United from Real Madrid last summer for a British transfer record fee of £59.7m but following a promising start to life in England, the Argentina international's form faded and he was reduced to playing a bit-part role towards the end of the season.

Despite being named in United's party for the final stage of their US tour, Di Maria did not fly out to meet up with the squad as expected last Saturday and as a result was not included in the matchday squad for the match with PSG.

In fact, Di Maria's whereabouts remain a mystery to his manager Louis van Gaal.

The Dutchman claimed he had no idea why Di Maria has not reported for duty in the US and his stance had not changed when asked about the player.

"I don't know where he is," he said.

"You can ask it every week, but I don't answer that question. Maybe you know? I don't know.

"At Manchester United, we will announce something when it is already done and not when it is not done because it is a process and I have said it many, many times. We have to wait and see."

Credit: Skysports.com