Benfica have claimed that they have yet to receive any bids for star winger Angel Di Maria despite continuing speculation linking the player to a host of major European clubs.

The Argentinian international has become a transfer target for Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City this summer and rumours were that the player would be joining new Real boss Jose Mourinho next season after being made one of the Portuguese’s top transfer priorities.

However, the reports have been quashed by an official announcement from Benfica that they have not heard from any of the clubs named and that everything so far has been hearsay.

“There are no offers whatsoever that have been made to this company from any club, notably Real Madrid, company, businessman or any intermediary for the athlete Angel Di Maria,” announced Benfica.

“We are not aware of any ongoing negotiations regarding the aforementioned athlete.

“Moreover, this company has only been made aware of possible interest from other clubs in the aforementioned athlete through the various reports in the media.”

Di Maria was a key member of the Benfica team that won the Portuguese championship last season as well as reaching the quarterfinals of the Europa League before losing to Liverpool. The Argentinian winger is already a fixture in his national team under Diego Maradona and although Mourinho claimed that he was unsure if the player would excel at a big club, he is still keen to sign up the exciting talent.

Benfica rates the winger at £35 million and the price could eventually rule out Manchester United from the race for his signature. The Red Devils have already had to retract their interest in Ajax star Luis Suarez after reports that they could not afford the £30 million the Dutch club wanted for him.

Tags: Angel Di Maria, Benfica, English Premier League, La Liga, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid, transfer news