Rafael edges closer to United departure

Olympique Lyonnais are on the verge of signing Brazil defender Rafael da Silva from Manchester United, the French club’s president said on Monday.

In his twitter post, Jean-Michel Aulas stated that the defender had arrived in France pending an agreement from Manchester United on the transfer fee.

“Rafael has arrived from Manchester United and we are waiting for an agreement from MU on the transfer,” Jean-Michel Aulas wrote on his Twitter feed.

The move, said to be at the tune of £2.1 million will end months of speculations over the 25-year-old’s future at Old Trafford.

Rafael’s season under Louis van Gaal has been rocked with injuries and lack of form with his last start for United being in October 2014.

The signing of right-back Matteo Darmian from Serie A side Torino has further complicated things for Rafael who is believed to be on the verge of signing a four-year contract with Lyon.

Rafael has been at United since 2008 and featured widely as a dependable right back during the time of former Manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He has made over 100 club appearances for the Red Devils and with just 12 months remaining on his contract, it’s believed that United are keen to cash in on the player.

Lyon finished runners-up to Paris St. Germain in Ligue 1 last season.