Manchester United are open to selling Rafael, as they close in on the signing of Matteo Darmian.
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According to Sky Italia [via Sky Sports], the Red Devils have agreed a fee with Torino for the versatile fullback, and a deal is expected to be imminent.
Darmian is a right-back, although he can thrive both as a full-back or as a wing-back and on either flank.
Despite being linked to the likes of Seamus Coleman and Sergio Ramos [Express]—both possible upgrades for the right-back berth—United have opted for Darmian, and are understood to have met the £12.7 million asking price for the defender.
Darmian can play in the heart of the defence, but is more likely to feature on the right, where he will likely take the starting berth ahead of Antonio Valencia and Rafael.
While the Ecuador international, who can also play on the flank, may still have value for Louis van Gaal, it’s hard to see a future for Rafael at Old Trafford following the arrival of the Italian.
The Brazil international is coming off the back of an underwhelming campaign, having managed only 10 outings—of which six were starts—in the Premier League last season.
According to Sky Sports, the club will now listen to offers for the player, who arrived at the club in 2008 from Fluminense.
The source report that Napoli, Fiorentina and Galatasaray are all understood to be interested in the full-back, who has made over 100 appearances for the north-west giants over the last seven years.