Ever Banega
Ever Banega

Manchester United have been encouraged to renew their efforts to sign Ever Banega as Valencia desperately look to cut ties with the midfielder before the end of the transfer window.

The 25-year-old is considered one of the most talented players in La Liga but after a number of controversies during his seven seasons at Valencia the club has decided to cash in on him.

According to reports in Spain, the midfielder has fallen out of favour under new manager Juan Pizzi and both Valencia and Banega now agree that a move away before the transfer window closes is the best solution.

Reports in Spain claim that Valencia have offered the player to Atletico Madrid, where Banega already spent a season on loan in 2008, but negotiations have stalled as manager Diego Simeone only wants the player on a temporary basis while Valencia will only consider a permanent move.

Banega started 14 games for the club during the first half of the season but Pizzi told him last Monday that he does not want him as part of his squad anymore. As a result, the Argentinian has not travelled with the rest of the team to Barcelona, where the team play this weekend.

Manchester United are in search of a midfielder to strengthen the squad with Michael Carrick currently sidelined through injury and David Moyes may renew his attempts to clinch a cut-price deal for Banega, who has been repeatedly linked with a move to Old Trafford since last summer.

Meanwhile, the Argentinian international is keen on a fresh start to boost his chances of being named in the Argentina squad for next summer's World Cup.

Southampton and Sunderland are also reportedly interested in signing the Valencia midfielder. Reports last week suggested that Black Cats manager Gus Poyet was eager to add another Argentine to his squad following the arrivals of Oscar Ustari and Santiago Vergini with the future of Less Cattermole at the Stadium of Light uncertain.