Topics: Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Real Madrid, English Premier League, La Liga
The Blancos' Argentine ace will follow in the footsteps of club icons Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo, and wear the Red Devils' most famous jersey

Manchester United have made substantial progress in bringing Argentine attacker Angel Di Maria to Old Trafford, with reports suggesting a deal has already been reached with the Real Madrid star's current club.

According to Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, the 26-year-old's agent is flying to England to hold talks with the Red Devils officials in an attempt to seal his Old Trafford switch, a transfer speculated to be worth £56m.

"I can exclusively reveal that, as we speak (Saturday night), football agent Jorge Mendes is on a flight from Singapore – where he has been putting to bed the purchase of Valencia by Peter Lim – to Europe, with a view to sealing the sale of Di Maria to United."

Di Maria's Man United move to be finalized, claims Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague 

The Argentine's reported £56m transfer fee would make him the most expensive player in EPL history

Di Maria to move to Old Trafford

Angel Di Maria, Gareth Bale, Fabio Coentrao, Real Madrid, La Liga

Balague goes on to state that the former Benfica man has even been offered Manchester United's iconic number 7 jersey, worn by club legends George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo, just to name a few.

"So advanced, in fact, are the negotiations that it has already been agreed that Di Maria will wear the number seven shirt, worn in the past by no lesser players than David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best and Bryan Robson."

The 26-year-old attacker has already been promised the Red Devils' iconic No.7 jersey

Angel Di Maria, George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Manchester United, Real Madrid, English Premier League, La Liga

With there being "no chance of Di Maria staying at Real Madrid", the player has chosen the Theatre of Dreams over Paris Saint-Germain. This was a decision highly influenced by former Red Devils ace Cristiano Ronaldo, who "has also told him some great things about United and has succeeded in persuading him that it is a good option", despite the lack of European football.

"There is agreement between the club and the player and it is expected that the announcement will soon be made official because the positions of the two clubs are thought to be very close."

CR7, a former Red Devils star, played an influential role in Di Maria's choosing of Man United

Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Real Madrid, English Premier League, La Liga

This move will come as wonderful news to the 20-time English Premier League winning side's fans who have seen their club drift far from the success they enjoyed under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Di Maria will become the second La Albiceleste international to be recruited by Louis Van Gaal, after the Dutchman signed Marcos Rojo from Sporting for £16m.

Reaction on Twitter to this latest transfer revelation

HUMOR: But then there were the trolls