Man United agree £21 million deal for Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan

**© FRANCISCO LEONG**Benfica's Argentinian forward Nicolas Gaitan celebrates after scoring against Pacos Ferreira during their Portuguese football match at Mata Real Stadium in Pacos de Ferreira on March 11, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ FRANCISCO LEONG (Photo credit should read FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images)

Manchester United have agreed a £21 million deal for Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan, according to a report from the Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

The 27-year-old had been linked with a move to Chelsea, but it appears Manchester United have beaten the Premier League champions to the Argentine’s signature.

According to A Bola, the transfer will go through following the conclusion of the Taca da Liga final on Friday, with only minor details left to be settled.

Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira was reportedly in England last week to negotiate the deal and United boss Louis van Gaal green-lit the transfer before leaving on his holiday.

Gaitan signed from Boca Juniors in May 2010 and has helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga title in back-to-back seasons (2013-14, 2014-15) and three Portuguese Cups (Taca da Liga).

The left-footed winger, who is able to play on either side of the pitch, has had a sensational season for Benfica and would be United’s second signing of the summer, following the arrival of PSV Eindhoven’s Memphis Depay.