Manchester United Transfer News: Huge Angel Di Maria Bid Eyed in New PSG Rumours

Manchester United could potentially recoup the full £59.7 million they paid for Angel Di Maria last summer, with reports suggesting that flush French club Paris Saint-Germain are willing to spend big in order to sign the Argentinian in the upcoming window.

That’s according to John Cross of the Mirror, who claims the Ligue 1 side will offer the Red Devils their money back on the player after a debut season of peaks and troughs at Old Trafford. The article claims Di Maria has "struggled to settle" in England and that United may sell in order fund a pursuit of defensive reinforcements and their chase of Juventus star Paul Pogba.

Cross continued in his piece:

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United feared they would struggle to get their money back - but agents working for the French club are working hard to make the deal happen.

PSG would also almost certainly be able to offer Champions League football while United are still sweating on their place in the top four.

United boss Louis Van Gaal has already admitted he won’t stand in Di Maria’s way if he wants to go and may need cash to rebuild the squad.

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Di Maria sizzled with a delectable swagger in the opening stages of his Premier League career, showcasing stunning talent to light up a United side still finding their feet under Louis van Gaal. But injuries and problems off the field have served to sap any momentum accrued by the former Real Madrid star and he’s cut an isolated, frustrated figure of late.

Indeed, after being sent off needlessly against Arsenal in the FA Cup, Di Maria found himself on the bench on his return to the squad for what was arguably United's biggest game of the season away at Liverpool.

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It seems as though things may be a little bit desperate for the Argentina international, but as noted by Squawka Football, when out on the pitch, typically he makes things happen:

For long spells of his last season in Madrid, Di Maria looked well off the pace and with Gareth Bale occupying his typical role in the team on the right flank, there didn’t look to be a place in the side for the former Benfica star. But he burst into life late on in the campaign, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to accommodate him in the team with a new system.

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It's something worth considering as many prematurely lament the fall from grace of the player. Although a British-record transfer would typically command some degree of consistency, Di Maria isn’t a week-to-week, seven-out-of-10 performer. When he plays well he burns extremely bright, when he’s not quite on it, he can look a little hopeless.

But throughout his career he’s typically been the former of those two contrasting types and, regardless of whether his performances are rounded, still makes regular impactful contributions, as noted here by barcastuff:

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Most assists in top 5 leagues in past two seasons: Cesc 29 - Di Maria 26 - Messi 26 - De Bruyne 23 - Koke 22 - Suarez 21 #fcblive [via opta]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 25, 2015"

Should United sell their No. 7, they'd surely be expected to invest that money in another world-class attacking talent. With reports linking the Red Devils with moves for Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, per the Daily Mail, Bleacher Report's Thom Gibbs took a look at which superstar would be the better fit for the club at this juncture:

While the off-field issues can’t be helped, on the pitch there is definitely more that could be done on the part of the United coaching staff to expedite the player’s return to full tilt. The system currently employed by Van Gaal—4-3-3—is the formation Di Maria flourished in under Ancelotti at Real, so it’ll be intriguing to see if the Dutchman does accommodate him in the XI going forward.

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

As noted by Goal UK, the Argentinian remains a popular figure with the United faithful around the world too:

If Di Maria’s family life has been troubled beyond repair by the break-in that occurred earlier in the year, per David McDonnell of the Mirror, then it’d be understandable for him to push for a fresh start elsewhere. From a purely business perspective, for United to get their money back on the player in that situation would represent superb work.

But provided he is settled, there’s still much more to come from Di Maria in United colours. While the capricious streak in his game will never abate, it’s part of what makes the midfielder such an enamouring talent. Provided the management do a little more to enhance the positive traits in his game, expect a replenished, refocused player come the 2015/16 campaign.