Real Madrid have reportedly snapped up in-demand Benfica winger Angel di Maria for £34 million in anticipation of Jose Mourinho’s coronation as their new coach.

Radio station TSF reported it as a done deal and it will precede a second raid on the Portuguese champions for highly rated defender David Luiz, who is also a priority target for Mourinho.

Di Maria has been subject of transfer speculation this summer with many major European clubs keen to take him away from Portugal. The Argentinian winger impressed during his time with Benfica with his dastardly ball skills at pace, and proved a constant threat to the top European sides in the Europa League.

His impressive displays have attracted the attention of Mourinho and the Portuguese laid out his conditions to move to Bernabeu as including the signing of Di Maria and team mate Luiz from Benfica. If reports prove to be true that the winger has indeed signed on, then Mourinho’s appointment should be made official within the next few hours.

The news would however come as massive blow to the hopes of Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City, who were both rumoured to be keen on the pair’s services. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is also a known admirer of Luiz and was keen to bring the Brazilian to Old Trafford, possibly as a long term replacement for the oft-injured Rio Ferdinand or non-committal Neman Vidic.

The futures of Kaka could also be thrown into doubt at Real with the arrival of Di Maria. With the Argentinian much younger and in better shape than the Brazilian star – who suffered a poor season under the weight of long absences due to injuries – Mourinho is clearly in preference to the more dynamic player. Di Maria also starred for Argentina yesterday in their 5-0 win over Canada, in which the winger scored one of the goals as Diego Maradona’s side recorded a comfortable result.

Tags: Angel Di Maria, Benfica, David Luiz, Kaka, La Liga, Real Madrid, transfer news