The interest Manchester United have in Ezequiel Garay of Benfica has been known for quite some time, dating back to last season as well. It seems that even with the managerial changes, that link hasn’t died down and might finally come to fulfillment very soon.
The 26 year old Argentine centre back had another excellent season with the Eagles after signed in 2011 for €5.5 million, although it didn’t help the team do more than second place in the league (Again) or lose to Chelsea in a European final in the very last minute.
According to A Bola, Manchester United have had it with the negotiations, and are making a final offer worth €20 million for the player, hoping that some printed rumors about their interests in other central defenders around Europe might hurry Benfica to agree.
Not all the transfer fee will be going to the Portuguese runners-up; Real Madrid still own 50% of his economic rights, and a further 10% belongs to the Benfica Stars Fund, leaving Benfica with €8 million, which is 40% of Garay’s value in this deal.
United aren’t pleased with the current stock of centre backs at the club: Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, although the latter three and Ferdinand as well are untouchables when it comes to a potential sale this summer.
As for Vidic, his form and especially his tendency to be out due to injuries for very long spells might mean his time at the club is over, and United would prefer selling him before there’s no more value to his stock, which is still appreciated in certain circles, especially if United attempt to sell him to one of the Russian teams.