Manchester United beat Liverpool to agree £21.4m deal with Benfica for Nicolas Gaitan

Manchester United have reportedly agreed a deal with Benfica to sign midfielder Nicolas Gaitan in the summer.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Louis van Gaal's team have won the race for the Argentine midfielder, who will be allowed to leave the club as the Portuguese side look to balance their books.

The Red Devils have been on Gaitan's trail for over a year, with reports suggesting earlier in the season about United scouts being present at Benfica's games to monitor the player's progress this campaign.

The Portuguese side have completed the domestic double this season by winning the Primiera Liga and the League Cup and are looking to balance their books and are hence open to offers for some of their top players.

The report claims that the Old Trafford club have beaten off competition to agree a deal worth around £21.4m ($32.7) with the champions of Portugal.

This will come as a big blow to Liverpool, who were also interested in signing the midfielder as Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen his team with proven talent rather than players with future potential after this season's debacle.

Apart from Gaitan, teammate Eduardo Salvio is also on the radar of the Premier League clubs, but a knee injury on the final day of the campaign has put paid to his chances of a summer move, as interested clubs wait to know the extent of the injury before making a final decision.

Meanwhile, the Argentine midfielder has refused to divulge his plans for the future following the Benfica League Cup win over Maritimo. He admitted that it could be the last time he wore the Benfica shirt, but made it clear that he is happy at Benfica, and will make a decision only once he returns from vacation.