Manchester United in talks to sign Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan says agent José Irribaren

Manchester United are in talks with Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan, according to his agent Jose Irribaren, who claims they are waiting a final decision from the Premier League club.

"Everything is possible," Irribaren told Portuguese radio station Antena 1, newspaper A Bola reports.

"There is a negotiation which is pending with Manchester United. The will of the player is that everything runs as smoothly as possible.

"We are awaiting a response."

Gaitan has been relentlessly linked with a move to Old Trafford in previous transfer windows but there has previously been little to indicate any genuine interest in the player from the Premier League side.

Irribaren's comments, however, suggest there have been preliminary talks over the Argentina international.

United's focus this week would appear to have been in another area amid mounting speculation suggesting the club have bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

Originally reported by Cadena Cope, United are now ready to make Ramos a contract offer of €12m a year – a salary close to that of United skipper Wayne Rooney – in order to pull off what would be perhaps the most spectacular transfer of the summer.

Ramos currently earns €6m a year but is looking for a new deal that will see him receive €10m – roughly the salary Gareth Bale earns in the Spanish capital.

AS initially on Sunday (21 June) that Ramos had informed the club of his decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, claiming on Wednesday the player had met club officials to discuss his uncertain future.

Ramos has been locked in contract negotiations with club president Florentino Perez since the end of the 2014-15 season to discuss an extension to his current deal which expires in 2017.