Manchester United close to completing deal to sign Torino defender Matteo Darmian

Manchester United are reportedly close to completing their second summer signing after discussions with Torino reached an advanced stage over the transfer of right-back Matteo Darmian, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

Louis van Gaal has made signing a right-sided defender a priority this summer, and identified the Italian international as the perfect candidate to replace current right-back Rafael da Silva, who has been deemed surplus to requirements at the club.

A Sky Sports report suggests that Rafael will be offloaded before the start of the season, with Turkish giants Galatasaray showing interest in signing the player along with Serie A sides Napoli and Fiorentina.

The 20-time English champions have been linked to other right-backs in recent weeks. Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne was on United's radar, according to ESPN, but the club cooled their interest allowing Liverpool to swoop in and complete the signing.

Darmian, who joined the Serie A side in 2011, has made 133 appearances for the club and is contracted to Torino until the summer of 2017. The report claims that the Red Devils have been in discussions with the club over a move and are close to reaching an agreement, which will see Van Gaal's side part with a fee of around £11m ($17m) to bring the defender to Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old Italian international will be United's second signing following the arrival of Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven earlier in the summer.

Apart from Rafael, the Dutch manager is also keen on offloading central defender Jonny Evans, who has just one year remaining on his current deal and has not been offered an extension by the club. According to the Manchester Evening News, Everton were reportedly interested in signing the defender along with Tottenham.