Galatasaray step up efforts to sign Man Utd full-back

Galatasaray are set to step up efforts to sign Manchester United full-back Rafael a close source told Turkish-football.com.

Rafael is open to the idea of playing in Turkey and Galatasaray have expressed an interested in the United full-back.

Galatasaray put negotiations on hold over the three-day Eid holiday but are now set to enter talks again over the transfer of Rafael.

The 25-year-old is expected to leave the club over the summer according to his agent Cassiano Perreira. The agent also confirmed that he is in talks with a number of clubs.

“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,” Perreira said.

Rafael was left out of United’s pre-season USA tour which got underway on Monday and is unlikely to remain at the club next season.

The United full-back provided one assist and scored on goal in 17 appearances for the Premier League giants last season and still has two-years left on his contract.

Galatasaray would be able to offer the attacking full-back regular first time football and Champions League action.