Benfica rule out January sale of winger Di Maria

Benfica have assured their supporters that midfielder Angel Di Maria will not be sold in January, with Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly showing interest.

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Angel Di Maria has been catching the eye.

Di Maria has caught the eye with some great performances in recent games, including the 5-0 Europa League victory over Everton last month and has been linked with a move to the Premier League as soon as the transfer window re-opens.

Benfica, who are flying high in their domestic league, are keen to keep the Argentine winger and have now ruled out the possibility of selling their biggest asset, saying he has an important role to play for the rest of the season.

"The Benfica fans can be calm. Di Maria will not leave the club in January," Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira told A Bola. "We know there is interest from big clubs in the kid but we need his help for many objectives like the Portuguese league."

It is understood Di Maria, who is valued at around £27 million, was watched by Chelsea scouts as Argentina lost 2-1 to Spain on Saturday night, but the player himself has played down suggestions a move could be imminent.

"I have not spoken to anybody and the only thought in my head at the moment is that I would like to continue playing for Benfica for many years," he told Sky Sports earlier this month.