Manchester United look set to finalise the sale of Brazilian right-back Rafael da Silva to Lyon this summer after the Daily Star reports a move is close.
Citing reports from French source Le Parisien, the Star says that Rafael is not in Louis van Gaal’s plans for the 2015/16 season, having barely featured under the Dutchman last term.
The 25-year-old had been a key part of the Red Devils’ first-team during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, but he found himself behind midfielder Antonio Valencia in the pecking order last season, in a clear illustration that Van Gaal didn’t rate him as being good enough for first-choice.
The Star mentions that other top clubs like AS Roma, Galatasaray and Benfica have also shown an interest in Rafael this summer, but that he will now be heading to Ligue 1 giants Lyon in a deal worth around £7m.
SEE ALSO:
Top ten team-mates who HATE each other – featuring Ronaldo & Bale!
Adidas pushing for Man Utd to sign £86m Real Madrid Galactico after £750m kit deal
Revealed: The ONE reason Chelsea’s Radamel Falcao flopped at Manchester United
This could be seen as a decent price for the club to bring in for a player they were not using, and Van Gaal will likely be satisfied with summer signing Matteo Darmian as his main right-back for the season ahead, with Valencia remaining as a cover option in that role.
Rafael’s exit continues the major shake-up at Old Trafford under the former Netherlands boss, who has also let big names like Robin van Persie and Nani go this summer, following on from exits for the likes of Darren Fletcher, Shinji Kagawa and Danny Welbeck last year.