Fresh from yesterday’s news that Manchester United are on the verge of signing Angel Di Maria, Real Madrid manager has informed the media that the player has said his goodbyes and is leaving the club.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Madrid’s first league fixture of the season against Cordoba, Ancelotti confirmed the Argentina international’s days in Spain are coming to an end.

“[Angel] Di Maria arrived at our training facilities but didn’t practice. The conclusion of the negotiation is very close. He came here to say goodbye and we thanked him for what he has done and we wished his good luck for his future. It’s done, it’s not official yet but it’s done. I have an excellent relationship with him, he made this decision, the club did everything to keep him.”

The news will be devastating to a large section of Real Madrid supporters who have taken to social media and radio call-in shows to express their hopes of the winger remaining with Los Blancos. Ancelotti himself wanted the player to stay, but the strained relationship between Di Maria and club president Florentino Perez has been damaged beyond repair.

Perez has continually added to Madrid’s squad this summer with mega-money moves for James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos. The president hasn’t finished his club’s dealing in the transfer market and has deemed Di Maria “expendable”.

AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao has been heavily linked with an arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu, once Di Maria is shipped out of town.

Late yesterday, Sky Sports Spanish soccer expert Guillem Balague revealed that Manchester United was on the verge of signing the 26-year-old, with the pundit going so far to say that the English club have already told the winger he will be wearing the historic number seven shirt. The shirt number is currently not taken by a player at United.

After holding an emergency meeting with Florentino Perez where he begged the club president to keep Di Maria, it has been revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo has played a large role in persuading the Argentinian to make the switch to Old Trafford.

Reports from Spain and England are now speculating that the deal could be anywhere between £50million and £75million for the Argentina international.