Manchester United to use Javier Hernandez or Rafael as bait in signing Benfica star Nicolas Gaitan

Manchester United are set to offer one of their players in signing Benfica star Nicolas Gaitan, according to the Portuguese publication A Bola.

The Argentine international has been constantly linked with a move to Old Trafford in the last few transfer windows. However, the deal did not take shape and he continued with the Portuguese champions.

Gaitan has a €35m (£25m, $38.9m) release clause and has three years left on his contract with Benfica. However, United are unwilling to meet their asking price and are only looking to offer €30m (£21.6m, $33.3m) for the winger's services.

Louis van Gaal has striker Javier Hernandez and full-back Rafael in the squad and the Dutchman is looking to offload the duo in the summer transfer window. The English outfit are open to use either the Mexican international or the South American as bait in securing Gaitan's services.

A swap deal will reduce the price tag in a deal that could see the 27-year-old move to Old Trafford, while either Hernandez or Rafael could move in the opposite direction.

The Benfica winger's agent Jose Irribaren earlier revealed that the 20-times English champions are in talks with the Portuguese outfit for Gaitan's signature.

"Everything is possible. There is a negotiation which is pending with Manchester United. The will of the player is that everything runs as smoothly as possible. We are awaiting a response," Irribaren explained as quoted by A Bola.

According to Goal, British record signing Angel Di Maria is open for an Old Trafford exit as he has set his heart on joining Bayern Munich. The same report also claims Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing the former Real Madrid star.

United have a verbal agreement with Benfica to sign Gaitan if Di Maria leaves the Premier League giants in the summer transfer window, reports Spanish newspaper AS.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has already allowed Luis Nani to join Fenerbahce. The Old Trafford club have only signed Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven so far this summer.

With Nani's departure and Di Maria's future uncertain, the potential arrival of Gaitan could see him replace either of the wingers in the squad.