Manchester United Transfer News: Victor Valdes 'Wants to Leave', Rafael Rumours

Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes could be on his way out of Old Trafford this summer despite having not even played a full season for the club while Rafael is willing to fight for his future as a Red Devil.

Valdes signed an 18-month deal in January, but Antalyaspor president Gultekin Gencer has told Eurosport and Turkish newspaper Milliyet (via ESPN FC's Richard Jolly) the Spaniard "wants to leave Manchester United," saying:

"

He wants to leave Manchester United. We have made an official bid. I believe it will be completed within a couple of days. ... 

Valdes wants to join Antalyaspor. All that remains is for us to agree the fee being demanded.

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Matt Dunham/Associated Press

It's a difficult predicament for manager Louis van Gaal considering No. 1 David De Gea is a very public target for Real Madrid, per Mirror's Liam Corless, and has entered the final year of his contract with Manchester United.

The Daily Mail's Matt Woosnam confirmed Saturday that Samuel Eto'o has signed for Antalyaspor while Spanish newspaper Sport teases the idea of Ronaldinho arriving at the Turkish outfit for a potential trifecta of former Barcelona stars:

It's highly unlikely United would allow both De Gea and Valdes to leave the club in the same window with no immediate replacements lined up yet, giving the club's hierarchy a conundrum in who to sell.

Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail doesn't believe there are many other options on the market superior to a fully fit Valdes, who left Barcelona last year after spending 19 years at the Camp Nou:

Should United decide to keep hold of De Gea, they'll certainly strive to convince the Spain international to pen an extension, but they run the risk of seeing him leave for free next summer.

If Valdes' desire to leave the English giants proves genuine, it further increases the Red Devils' need to invest in a new stopper, both for the short term and beyond.

Rafael Willing to Fight for Old Trafford Future

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Matteo Darmian's imminent arrival at Manchester United leaves the impression that Rafael's time at the club may be winding to an end, but the Brazilian isn't giving up on his place in the squad so easily.

MailOnline's Ben Grounds reported Friday that Torino right-back Matteo Darmian was en route to England for a medical, but Rafael took to his official Instagram to suggest he'll be staying put this season:

The post comes just as Metro's Sean Kearns reported Galatasaray are interested in a move for the 25-year-old, whose chances at Old Trafford were extremely limited last season.

Antonio Valencia was instead the preferred option on the right side of defence, but the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst wouldn't appear to rate either player that highly:

ESPN FC's Musa Okwonga believes the arrival of Darmian does indeed spell the end for Rafael, who is now in the final year of his Manchester United contract:

With that being the case, the club may prefer to cash in on the South American this summer rather than lose him for nothing in 2016, especially when his first-team prospects seem so dim.

If his Instagram persona is anything to go by, however, Rafael won't give up on his chances quite so easily and will hope to take on newcomer Darmian for a place in Van Gaal's setup.