Manchester United agree 'gentleman's agreement' for Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay

MANCHESTER UNITED are said to have put in place a 'gentleman's agreement' with Portuguese side Benfica for the £17 million signing of centre-back Ezequiel Garay.

Manchester United appear to be set to sign Benfica defender Ezequeil Garay for a fee of around 17m Manchester United appear to be set to sign Benfica defender Ezequeil Garay for a fee of around £17m

Garay has been heavily tipped to leave the Europa League finalists this summer and join Manchester United, who are rumoured to be in the market for defensive additions.

And according to reports in Portugal, the Red Devils and Benfica have sealed a deal for Garay to move to Old Trafford for €20m (£17m).

Benfica will need to hand around half of that fee to the 26-year-old's former club Real Madrid, who were thought to be keen on bringing him back to the Bernabeu earlier in the season.

Manchester United, Ezequiel Garay, Benfica, United Garay, Garay Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Garay ChelseaThe Argentina international has impressed in Portugal in recent seasons

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However, Madrid have set their sights on other targets which appears to have allowed United to beat off competition from Chelsea to sign the Argentina international.

Over the past few seasons central defender Garay has become a mainstay in an impressive Benfica side, making 41 appearances last season.

United are yet to comment on any potential deal for Garay despite heavy speculation on the continent.

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