Manchester United is close to signing Real Madrid's Argentine winger Angel di Maria in a deal that is expected to smash the British transfer record, according to media reports.

British newspapers said a move for the 26-year-old is likely to cost more than the 50 million pounds ($82.84 million) Chelsea paid Liverpool for Spain striker Fernando Torres in 2011.

Di Maria cost Real 20 million pounds from Benfica in 2010 and he was a key part of the team that won the club's 10th European Cup last term but he has since fallen out of favor and was omitted from the squad for the Spanish Super Cup last week.