Real Madrid Uncertain Over Angel di Maria Future as Manchester United Circle
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is unable to confirm whether Angel di Maria will remain at the club beyond the end of the summer transfer window as Manchester United continue to be encouraged in their pursuit of the Argentina international.
Reports on Monday suggested that United had put together a package worth £100m in order to lure Di Maria to Old Trafford in a reaction to defeat in Louis van Gaal's opening Premier League game against Swansea City.
And while Ancelotti has hinted Di Maria could feature in the Spanish Super Cup first leg against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, the Italian has admitted he is not certain the winger will remain at the Bernabeu beyond the end of the month.
"Di Maria is available [for the game against Atletico Madrid] like all the rest," Ancelotti said. "He could start the game and have his chance, but just like the other players. Tomorrow one team will play and it'll be a different one on Friday.
"I'm not discussing it [his future], because I'll lose my focus. I don't know what Di Maria has decided. He's ready to play and he can play for the team. Up to 31 August, that's our line. Whether he stays or goes everything will return to normal."
United are likely to have been further invigorated in their bid to sign Di Maria by Ancelotti's uncertainty over his future, as the 20-time champions of England attempt to stage a mass rebuild of their squad during the final two weeks of the transfer window.
The club have reportedly submitted a £50m bid for Di Maria's services, with the 26-year-old understood to have been offered a contract worth another £50m (£200,000 per week) over five years, making him among the club's highest-paid players.
Van Gaal has stated his desire to sign further players in the summer having added just two to his United squad in the form of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, the latter being one of seven first-team players currently out injured.
The opening weekend loss to Swansea means the last fortnight of the transfer window threatens to be dominated by United's desperate search for further signings to help bolster their attempts to qualify for next season's Champions League.
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