A disgusted Chelsea have been forced to look elsewhere after being informed of a £36 million price tag on Angel Di Maria.

Manchester City have now glanced covetously at the Argentine midfilder.Chelsea had hoped to sign the winger for around £15 million whom Manchester United are also keeping tabs on.

City are expecting to sew up the deal the next summer, when want away Robinho will leave for Barcelona . However, Benfica prefer to do business during the January transfer window, before a lower buy-out clause in Di María's contract kicks in at the end of this season.

Chelsea meanwhile are close to putting the final touches to seal Sergio Agüero's signature from Atlético Madrid. They are to part with £40 million in the process. However, the Russian billionaire club are insisting that the striker lowers his wage demands and that his agent, Bruno Satin, also accepts a lower fee.