Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria has refused the club’s first offer to extend his contract at the Bernabeu.
The 24-year-old Argentina international joined Real from Benfica in 2010 in a deal worth 25million euro plus up to 11million euro in add-ons and bonuses. His current contract with the club expires in 2016 with a termination clause of 50million euro but Real are keen to tie him down to a longer deal at the club while di Maria is looking for a better pay deal.
According to Spanish radio network Cadena Cope di Maria, via his agent Jorge Mendes, has told the club that he expects to receive the same salary as his countryman Gonzalo Higuain, who earns 3 5 million euros per season at the Bernabeu – the equivalent of just under £60,000 a week..
The radio station claims that both the player and his agent argued that his performances justify a higher salary and di Maria is apparently threatening to leave the club at the end of the season. Manchester City and Chelsea would be willing to pay up to 5million euro a year – around £80,000 a week – although the size of the termination clause could prove a deterrent.
Di Maria is out of action with a thigh injury. He missed six weeks earlier this season only for the injury to return during his comeback game with Racing Santander in February.