Blanc confirms PSG close to signing United winger Di Maria
Laurent Blanc claims Paris St Germain are close to completing the signing of Manchester United midfielder Angel Di Maria.
United's tour of the United States ended on a disappointing note in the early hours of Thursday morning as they lost 2-0 to PSG in Chicago.
Despite being named in United's party for the final stage of United's tour, Di Maria was not in the matchday squad.
In fact, the 27-year-old's whereabouts remain a mystery to his manager Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman claimed he had no idea why Di Maria did not report for duty in the States as expected last Saturday and his stance had not changed when asked about the £59.7million midfielder on Thursday.
"I don't know where he is," the United boss said after a blunt exchange in his post-match press conference at the Soldier Field.
"You can ask that every week but I don't answer that question."
The only other comment Van Gaal made was when he was asked by a reporter from Kurdistan where Di Maria's next club would be.
"He is not going to Kurdistan," Van Gaal said.
Blanc was slightly more forthcoming on the matter.
The PSG boss believes the protracted transfer saga surrounding the former Real Madrid player is finally coming to an end.
"Manchester United and PSG are two big clubs and negotiations can be difficult but we are close to the end," Blanc said.
Reports in France claim PSG will pay around 65 million euros (£46million) for the Argentina international, who failed to settle at United last year.
The midfielder's form dipped alarmingly after a strong start and he had to move out of his Cheshire home after an attempted burglary in February.
