Manchester United: PSG midfielder Marco Verratti welcomes imminent arrival of Angel Di Maria

Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti has indicated that the arrival of Manchester United midfielder Angel di Maria is imminent. Di Maria, 27, became the Premier League's most expensive player of all time following his £59.7m ($93m) arrival from Real Madrid last summer.

But just one year later, the Argentina international is poised to sign for the Ligue 1 champions after not flying out to the US for United's pre-season tour, according to BBC Sport. PSG boss Laurent Blanc said on 26 July there is a "good possibility" of Di Maria joining the club, adding that "the outcome is very close", with Zlatan Ibrahimovic also speaking positively over the prospect of playing alongside him next season.

And in another indication of just how close the move is, Italy international Verratti has spoken freely about the player's arrival in the French capital. "There is no doubt about it: he is a great player who can increase the quality of the team," he told Goal.

"He is a good dribbler and can beat his opponent in a one-on-one. That is very important in modern football. I hope that with Di Maria we can win the Champions League next season. This is one of our objectives in Paris but it is not easy. Every year at the beginning of the season we have the objective to go all the way."

His PSG teammate David Luiz, who played with Di Maria at Benfica for three seasons, is also enthusiastic over the Argentine's arrival. While the Brazil international was careful to say it is a case of if and not when, he is excited over a reunion with his former teammate.

"For us it is always very good if we can sign a fantastic player like Di Maria," Luiz told reporters, ESPN reported. "I love him, he is my friend. I played with him at Benfica when we were young. He is fantastic and will be fantastic for the team. He also knows how to play on the defensive side. He is an amazing player."