Manchester United negotiating Nicolas Gaitan - Rafael swap deal

Manchester United are on the brink of signing Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan, with Brazilian full-back Rafael going in the opposite direction to the Portuguese champions.

The Express reports that Argentina international Gaitan could move to Old Trafford for £25m following years of speculation regarding a potential move to the Premier League.

Gaitan scored four goals in 27 league starts for Benfica last season as the club beat FC Porto to the title and would likely occupy a wide role in the United first team next season.

In order to force the move through, United will add Rafael as a sweetener in the deal after the 25-year-old became a marginal figure under Louis van Gaal last term.

Injury and lack of form saw Rafael restricted to just six Premier League starts last term, his last appearance coming in the win over Tottenham Hotspur in March.

The player's agent told Record, according to Goal.com, of the swap deal: "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."

United have already completed three signings during the summer transfer window in the form of Netherlands international Memphis Depay, Italian defender Matteo Darmian and Germany World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Sky Sports understand that Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin has undergone a medical ahead of becoming United's latest signing, meaning Gaitan would potentially become the fifth new addition made by van Gaal this summer.

Meanwhile, Rafael's exit would represent the fourth major departure from United this summer. Tom Cleverley has joined Everton while Nani and Robin van Persie have move to Turkish club Fenerbahce.

A fourth place finish in the Premier League last season saw United return to the Champions League after a season-long absence from the competition.