Report: Manchester United agree Nicolas Gaitan deal

Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan.

The Argentine has long been linked with a switch to Old Trafford, dating back to the summer of 2011 when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of the club.

Current boss Louis van Gaal has since reignited United's interest in the 27-year-old, who will fetch a fee in the region of £21m, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

The publication added that the deal is expected to be announced as early as Friday evening, once Benfica have taken on Maritimo in the Portuguese Cup final.

It is believed that agent Jorge Mendes, who is also the representative of United players David de Gea and Angel di Maria, has been a prominent figure in the negotiations between the Red Devils and their Primeira Liga counterparts.

Gaitan, who has earned nine caps at senior international level, was recently left out of the La Albiceleste squad for this summer's Copa America.