Di Maria focussed on Benfica title bid
Benfica’s rising star Angel Di Maria is refusing to let transfer speculation distract him from the Eagles’ Portuguese title charge, insisting that he will not consider any moves until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old Argentinean’s performances have attracted the attentions of Europe’s top clubs, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid all believed to be considering bids.
Di Maria has been a key-player in Benfica’s push for a first league title since 2005, with the club currently occupying pole position in the Portuguese Liga and set to face Liverpool in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Happy as he may be in Lisbon, Benfica are thought to be willing to accept a bid of €25 million for the player they signed as a 19-year-old from Argentine side Rosario Central in 2007.
Di Maria, however, is adamant that his mind is on Benfica only until the end of the season.
"I am very happy and perhaps I am having the best moments I have had as a player," he said.
"My work with Benfica is good and my family are settled in Lisbon, and I am dreaming of titles and hopefully that is what will happen in the next few months.
"My head is with Benfica and I will not speak about my possible exit until the end of the season."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
The playmaker recently admitted that he was all set to join the Gunners in 2007, before the deal fell through allowing him to sign for Benfica.
“I don’t know exactly what happened with my proposed transfer to Arsenal," he said in the News of the World.
“I was very excited about joining them but it never happened.
“From what I’ve been told, the transfer money that was supposed to appear, never appeared.
“And just a day-and-a-half later, Benfica heard about the problem, showed interest in me and quickly hired me.
“But I am sure that Arsene Wenger would have had a lot to teach me.”
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.