Manchester United Agree €20m Fee for Benfica Centre-Back – Report

Manchester United are believed to have agreed a deal with Benfica to sign highly-rated centre-back Ezequiel Garay, according to reports in Spain.

The Argentine has long been linked with a possible move to Old Trafford and now Spanish newspaper AS has reported that United have agreed to a fee of €20m with Benfica.

Should the deal be concluded then Real Madrid would stand to receive €10m as Garay had a 50% sell on fee written into his contract when he left the Spanish club for Benfica back in the summer of 2011.

Garay has excelled in his two year spell in Portugal, making 79 appearances in all competitions and helping Benfica finish second last season and subsequently qualify for the group stages of next season's Champions League.

Manchester United have repeatedly been linked with the talented centre-back as it is believed new manager David Moyes may feel the current backline needs rejuvenating with Rio Ferdinand now 34 and Nemanja Vidic 31.

Moyes has already sanctioned moves for Everton left-back Leighton Baines and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, but it seems as though it could be Garay who is the first arrival under his stewardship.

The 26 year old struggled to make an impression while playing at the Bernabeu under Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho but his stock has risen while representing Benfica.

Manchester United have been working hard to make additions this summer and it was believed that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward had flown home from the tour of Australia to try and complete a deal for Fabregas.

However, it appears as though United have in fact also been working on a proposition for Garay who would provide serious competition to Ferdinand and Vidic for a starting berth.

While United have yet to announce any offer for Garay, they have made it clear that they are publically chasing Fabregas after Moyes confirmed that a second offer had been submitted.