Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria, according to head coach Laurent Blanc. But the former United defender has admitted that it will be difficult to bring the Argentina international to Paris because of the high fee he would attract.
Di Maria did not start a single game in the final three months of the season despite a promising start to life at Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old was close to moving to PSG last summer before agreeing a move to United, but the Paris giants were unable to fund the move due to Financial Fair Play restrictions and the earlier £50 milllion (Dh285m) move for David Luiz.
#BPL countdown: 27 days. Despite playing 27 PL games last season, Angel Di Maria led @ManUtd w/ 51 chances created. pic.twitter.com/obBZbBe9TP
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 12, 2015
PSG have reportedly been targeting the Argentine star, with Blanc telling French daily L’Equipe that he is still interested in the £59.7m (Dh342m) British-record signing.
“Yes. We have our priorities,” he said.
“But to strengthen such a team you must target guys who are at big clubs and who are not easy to prise away. That’s hardest for PSG.
“Di Maria, he’s good. We have more freedom, but it remains a difficult project for us because we’re not alone in wanting him.
“When you see the financial power of the English clubs, they are attacking everyone. Competition is very, very tough.
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“Don’t forget, Manchester United paid a fortune to sign him. For us to work effectively, we have to think of other solutions. We must be proactive.”
In the same interview the PSG boss also made it clear star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is going nowhere this summer.
The Sweden international has been linked with a move back to Italy with Serie A rivals AC Milan and Inter said to be interested.
But he said: “There was never any doubt of him staying. I don’t attach any importance to rumours. For us it was very clear: Ibra was always part of the 2015-2016 squad.”
There has also been speculation that Edinson Cavani is keen to move on, but Blanc said the Uruguay international would only be sold if it suited PSG.
