Former Manchester United target Nicolas Gaitan is reportedly close to an agreement regarding a move to Russian heavyweights Zenit St. Petersburg.
According to the Portuguese and Russian media, the Russian club, currently managed by former FC Porto manager Andre Villas Boas is keen on adding star names to their squad to increase their global profile and has earmarked the Argentine winger as one of the key players to rope in ahead of the new season of the UEFA Champions League.
Although no bid has been made from the club for the player, reports suggest that there is already an agreement regarding a move with the player and a bid will be made in due course.
The Argentine winger, once tracked by Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United, helped SL Benfica claim the domestic treble recently and went on pledge his allegiance to the club for the future as well. And this new development, as a result, comes as a huge shock for fans of the Portuguese giants.
Benfica have enough cash reserves to hold on to their key player and will try and keep the player at the Estadio da Luz but the Russian is set to test the club’s resolve by making a bid for the 26 year old. They have previously signed Belgian international Axel Witsel from the club and could do further business if reports regarding a move for Argentina international centre back Ezequiel Garay are to be believed.
Gaitan made 42 appearances for the Eagles last season and found the net eight times. He still has two and half years left on his contract but the lure of a big money move to the cash rich Russian giants will be too hard to turn down for the player who has helped Benfica return to the top in Portugal.