25-year-old right-back Rafael has been omitted from Manchester United’s squad for their USA Tour, as there are growing rumours that his Old Trafford career is coming to an end. The Brazilian was back up to Antonio Valencia last season and the arrival of Italian Matteo Darmian suggests that Rafael will be further down the pecking order, resulting in very few first-team opportunities.
Rafael’s agent, Cassiano Pereira, has spoken out about his client’s future and how it will most likely be abroad. Pereira has also discussed that a potential player exchange could happen this summer.
“Benfica and Manchester United are in negotiations over Gaitan and one offer includes Rafael to join Benfica,” Pereira told Record. “Rafael wants to join Benfica. It’s a big European club. If the talks proceed, it will not be difficult to reach an agreement.”
Benfica could be a great opportunity for Rafael, especially as the club is in need of a full-back after Maxi Pereira’s contract has expired and Silvio will be returning to parent club Atletico Madrid after his season-long loan.
Another option for Rafael would be a move to Italy, as it’s one of his preferred locations according to Pereira, as he told Tutto mercato web’s Simone Lorini;
“His contract expires in June 2016 and the coach, Van Gaal, said he isn’t counting on him, so the player wants to leave and we are talking with more than one club about this.
“Roma would be a more than welcome destination. We would be more than happy to talk to the capital club. Italy would be a great opportunity, particularly as he has a Portuguese passport.”
