Manchester United are edging closer to signing Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay. United and Benfica established a 'gentleman's agreement' in January that would see Garay sold to the English champs this summer - on approval of manager David Moyes.

A fee in the region of £15 million has been mentioned, with a hefty slice due Garay's former club Real Madrid.

Negotiations are expected to now step up after Benfica swooped for Estoril defender Steven Vitória. The 26 year-old Canadian signed for Benfica over the weekend and is viewed as a direct replacement for Garay.