Ángel Di María’s transfer to Manchester United twelve months ago was somewhat of a saga and this window has proved no different as the Argentine midfielder is closing on a switch to Paris St Germain. The 27-year-old was supposed to meet up with the Manchester United squad at the weekend but manager Louis van Gaal admitted that he did not get his plane and his future was unknown. It is now thought that discussions between United and Paris are nearing a close with just some details to be ironed out.

When Louis van Gaal spoke about Di María after his sides preseason victory over Barcelona, the Dutchman explained: “He was not on the plane. Marcos Rojo was also not on the plane. He has had a passport issue – for Di Maria, I don’t know why. I cannot say anything.”

Marcos Rojo’s absence is easily explained after the defender failed to renew his passport and therefore missed his flight to the United States. The error is likely to cost the 24-year-old around £140,000 or two weeks’ wages and will not go down well with a disciplinarian like Van Gaal but the former Estudiantes defender will link up with the squad later. Di María on the other hand appears to be leaving himself no way back.

Paris St Germain manager and former Manchester United defender, Laurent Blanc admitted in the wake of his side’s defeat to Chelsea that “There is a good possibility he could sign but there is nothing official.”

As yet, that is still the case, but it is suggested that a fee of around £46.5m has been agreed between the clubs and now Nasser Al Khelaifi, the PSG owner, and sports director Olivier Letang are in London speaking with United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to finalise the structure of the payments and the fine details of the deal.

The French champions are confident that this can be finalised and a year after trying to sign Di María from Real Madrid they can unveil their man. They are still to agree personal terms with the player and reports suggest that the Argentina international wants close to £9 million-a-year or around £170,000 a week. However, this should not prove to be a stumbling block, especially as Di María is effectively cutting his ties with United, and it is thought that he will be presented in Paris soon.

After such a disappointing first season it is a real shame that Di María’s time in England may already be coming to an end and with United having to take a hit on the record transfer fee they paid a year ago.