Angel Di Maria: Why Real Madrid are touting him out

The continuous problems at Real Madrid are evident. The lack of harmony of last season's title winning side, with the cohesion of the players dropping cataclysmically, proven by Jose Mourinho's remarks that he's already thrown in the towel in the hunt to retain the Primera Division championship.

Furthermore, Mourinho's continuous attempts to alienate himself from his playing staff has seen a squad on the verge, at times, of spontaneous combustion. With the players supposedly not happy with the Portuguese tactician, it's no shock to see Los Blancos touting out a number of stars that were signed under his stewardship.

One of those appears to be winger Angel Di Maria. The Argentine arrived from Benfica in 2010 and has enjoyed some success at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, netting 15 goals in 80 league appearances. However, reports on Wednesday suggest the club are prepared to sell at the end of the season, be it to raise funds for new signings or release the winger from the wage bill.

Another possibility could be the influence of Jorge Mendes, his agent. The 47-year-old also, perhaps notably, represents Cristiano Ronaldo and Mourinho and it's been mooted that any team that takes a punt on Di Maria could well have first refusal on the aforementioned duo, should they up sticks in the foreseeable future.

Furthermore, Mendes is also Andre Villas-Boas' agent, with Real's interest in Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale about as secretive as my intention to spend a night with Mila Kunis. There is a possibility that Di Maria could well be used in an attempt to lure the Welshman to Madrid, while any move involving the wideman could well kick start a major transfer merry-go-around in the summer. 

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