Benfica: Nico Gaitan agrees new deal with £31.7m clause following Manchester United summer talk

Benfica star Nico Gaitan has reportedly agreed to commit his future to the Portuguese giants with a new deal following speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United during the summer of 2015. Local reports claims the new contract will see the Argentina international at the Estádio da Luz until 2019, with his release clause increasing to €45m (£31.7m, $47.8m).

Gaitan was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford and Atletico Madrid after the agent of the player, Jose Iribarren, revealed in June that they were in negotiations with the Premier League giants.

"Everything is possible. There are negotiations pending with Manchester United. The will of the player is that everything runs as smoothly as possible. We are awaiting a response," Iribarren then said.

Cassiano Pereita, the agent of Brazilian full-back Rafael, confirmed the news in July after saying the clubs were negotiating a swap deal between the former United right-back and Gaitan.

"Benfica and Manchester United are in negotiations over Gaitan and one option includes Rafael joining Benfica," Rafael's agent said as quoted by Goal. "Rafael wants to join Benfica. It's a big European club. If the talks proceed, it will not be difficult to reach an agreement."

However, Rafael opted to join Lyon instead while Gaitan stayed at Benfica. He has continued impressing in the start of the new campaign, providing seven assists in seven league games while scoring three goals in his four Champions League appearances.

A Bola reports that Benfica have opted to reward Gaitan with a pay rise, but in exchange increasing his clause from €35m to €45m and extending his contract until 2019. The Portuguese newspaper in the summer also speculated about Gaitan move to United, claiming the Premier League giants had an agreement in principle to sign Gaitan for €30m as a potential replacement for Angel di Maria.