Manchester United have started buying players according to their needs in the transfer window. After confirming two signings of Italian defender Matteo Darmian and German midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger yesterday, the Red Devils are now reportedly plotting a move for Benfica attacking midfielder Nicolas Gaitan. According to media reports, they are ready to swap their 25-year-old Brazilian right-back Rafael for Gaitan.
Apparently Benfica will only sell the Argentine midfielder if his release clause of £25.1m is met. Manchester United on the other hand are contemplating to pay a much lesser amount and send Rafael as a part of the deal to rope in the 27-year-old Argentine.
Rafael had played only 11 games last season under Louis van Gaal. The Brazilian remained injured for most of the season, thus Antonio Valencia became a permanent right-back last season.e
Rafael’s agent, Cassiano Pereira was quoted by Goal.com. He said: “Benfica and Manchester United are in negotiations over Gaitan and one offer includes Rafael to join Benfica.
“Rafael wants to join Benfica. It’s a big European club. If the talks proceed, it will not be difficult to reach an agreement.”
It will be an interesting deal as Rafael is a defender and Gaitan plays in an attacking role for both his country and club. Also with Bastian Schweinsteiger’s inclusion in the squad, Manchester United now have too many quality options in the midfield. Rather they lack good defenders. So a swap deal which sees the departure of defender for an attacking midfielder does not make much sense.