Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Angel Di Maria.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that the Argentina international, who has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford all summer, wants to leave the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
“Di Maria has asked to leave and has rejected a new contract offer from the club,” Ancelotti was quoted as saying by Marca.
“This is a situation the player himself has to resolve.
“If he doesn’t seek a solution for his future, he’ll keep working with us and there won’t be any problems.”
Spanish daily newspaper Mundo Deportivo have reported that a Di Maria could be a United player within the next 48 hours, with a transfer fee of £56m being mooted.
Di Maria joined Real from Benfica in July 2010.
In 124 La Liga appearances, he has scored 22 goals.
Di Maria has helped Real win one Spanish league title, two Copa del Reys, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one Supercopa de Espana.