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Angel Di Maria wants to leave Real Madrid, rejects new contract

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Following rumors of a move all summer long, it has finally emerged that Angel Di Maria has requested to leave Real Madrid.

The Argentine winger, 26, starred for the reigning European Champions last term, notching 22 assists and constantly proving to be a thorn in the oppositions’ side. However with the arrival of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos over the summer, Di Maria now wants to move on from Real as he slides down the pecking order.

[RELATED: Di Maria to Man United?]

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that on Thursday, as Di Maria has turned down a new deal at the club and the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are said to be chasing his signature. The former Benfica winger joined Real in 2010 and has become a regular at the club, drawing praise from Cristiano Ronaldo, among many others, as they hope he stays in the Spanish capital.

In a news conference, Ancelotti confirmed Di Maria wants to leave the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Di Maria asked to go in the summer and has rejected an offer from the club. The player has to look for a solution. If when the transfer market closes he’s still here, he will work with us like last season and there will be no problem.”

Di Maria’s name has long been linked with a move to Manchester United and Louis van Gaal is said to be a big admirer of the speedy winger. During the UCL final last season, Di Maria picked up his team by the scruff of the neck and dragged them on to become champions. His influence at Real, even over the the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, was key in their European success but it seems as though his importance has been overlooked with James arriving for $107 million this summer.

The Argentine winger will be a man in demand but with Real likely to demand a fee in excess of $60 million for Di Maria, only a handful of clubs can afford him. Is Di Maria the marquee signing van Gaal is looking to bring to Old Trafford?

His pace out wide, creativity and ability to work up and down the flank in a 3-5-2 formation slots in seamlessly with LVG’s philosophy, plus a big name arrival is badly needed at United to try and kick off the new era. Ancelotti has dangled a carrot, now United must chase it to try and sign Di Maria.

Follow @JPW_NBCSports