Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Nico Gaitan, Angel Di Maria Rumours

Manchester United have "reached an agreement" with Benfica star Nicolas Gaitan, but must still finalise his transfer with the Portuguese champions, according to David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com.

Amoyal believes Louis van Gaal will offer Nani in a player-plus-cash deal for the Argentine winger, suggesting the transfer is also "tied to (Angel) Di Maria's sale but it could be completed regardless of the former Real Madrid's player future."

Di Maria confirmed he isn't looking to leave Old Trafford during an interview with The Sun (h/t Jacob Murtagh of the Mirror):

"

I have just finished my first season playing for Manchester United. It was a hard season for me. I think it was hard because it was another country and another league, and this league is harder than the Spanish one. So, I couldn't adapt myself as I wanted to. Now I will play the Copa America and then I will move back to Manchester for next season and do my best there.

"

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Gaitan, the international team-mate of Di Maria, is regularly linked with a move to United. The transfer is touted so often, in fact, that it's become something of a running joke for the club's fans and other onlookers. Sport Witness highlighted the general feeling around the transfer:

Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News commented on the situation in May:

Gaitan would be an intriguing signing, but he cannot be considered essential for Van Gaal. He possesses decent pace, quality technical skills and versatility. His ability to play across the Dutch manager's potential 4-3-3 formation no doubt makes him attractive, but United need a more explosive goalscorer to play either side of Van Gaal's likely lone striker.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

With just four goals en route to Benfica's title win during the 2014-15 campaign, Gaitan isn't going to prove a more profitable option than Di Maria.

Despite consistently poor form, Di Maria still managed to score three and assist 10 in 27 Premier League appearances, per WhoScored.com. Many United fans would be inclined to stick with him rather than spend on a less exciting player like Gaitan.

United continue to be linked with a £25 million bid for Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, reported by Jamie Jackson of The Guardian. Although Chris Beesley of the Liverpool Echo suggests Brendan Rodgers has "no intention of doing business" with United, Van Gaal may fancy the Englishman as another option to provide quality from wide areas.

B/R UK's Andy Brassell recently looked at options United could be eyeing up:

Continued speculation surrounding Gaitan is inevitable. He'd be a quality, if unneeded signing, but would add to the squad's depth.

However, Van Gaal should be targeting players who will significantly improve the first-team. He already possesses one in Di Maria, who will have to go some to produce a poorer campaign than his debut year.