Real Madrid edging closer to Di Maria agreement with Benfica

Real Madrid are edging closer to landing Benfica winger Angel di Maria after another round of talks yesterday.

Di Maria has been on the phone to Benfica officials every day since joining Argentina's World Cup squad in order to be kept up-to-speed on the move.

From referring Real to Di Maria's €40 million buyout clause, Benfica chiefs this week relented to a price of €35 million.

Real still regard that as being too steep, but are confident further talks will see Benfica drop their valuation further, particularly with Di Maria now determined to move to Madrid.

Yesterday, Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira was in Madrid to discuss the player's transfer.