French League side Lyon are set to sign Manchester United’s Brazilian rightback Rafael for A?2.5m as per reports in the Guardian.
The right back position was subject of much debate among the Manchester United fans before the club secured the services of Matteo Darmian from Torino.
The club had been linked with the likes of Dani Alves and Liverpool FC defender Nathaniel Clyne before the signing of the Italian due to van Gaal’s unhappiness with Rafael.
It was expected that Rafael would leave the club after he was omitted from the Manchester United pre-season tour of the US.
Lyon president tweets confirmation of move
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas announced on social networking website Twitter on Monday that the 25-year-old Manchester United defender was in the French city of Lyon before a potential transfer to the Ligue 1 runners-up.
Aulas tweeted: a Rafael has arrived from Manchester, we are waiting for an agreement with MU about his transfer. He has the Brazilian good humour!a
As per the Guardian, Lyon will pay up to A?2.5m for the signature of the Brazil right back.
Defense a worry
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The sale of Rafael will have no bearing on Manchester United’s defense, as the club has already signed Darmian. However, the defense still remains a big worry for van Gaal and apparently, securing a central defender is on top of the cluba s agenda, going by Manchester United’s rumored interest in Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi.
However, Mancheter United’s pursuit of Sergio Ramos seems to have ended after the player reportedly agreed to sign a new deal and stay at the club, following a meeting with Florentino Perez who made it clear to him that he is not for sale under any circumstance .
Following the reports of Ramos’ stay, one wonders if Manchester United will let David De Gea go, who, they are adamant, will not leave the club unless they get Ramos.
After De Gea’s poor showing in the recent pre-season tie agianst PSG, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was quoted saying that De Geaa s performance may have been down to the goalkeeper being distracted. In which case, Manchester United may allow De Gea to leave, taking a pragmatic view of the situation.
However, that would leave the club not only short of a quality central defender, but also a goalkeeper. In either case, with de Gea looking distracted over his future, the club is in dire straits as far as the defense goes.