Fan favourite Rafael leaves United

After finding himself on the fringes of Manchester United’s first team last season, Rafael Da Silva sealed a move to Lyon after agreeing to a four-year contract with the French club on Monday. The transfer is worth 2.1 million pounds. Rafael found himself below Antonio Valencia in the pecking order for a right back berth in Louis van Gaal’s first season in charge of the club. With Italian import Matteo Darmian arriving from Torino in July, LVG has effectively deemed Rafael surplus to requirements.

Many fans will be sad to see Rafael go; the Brazilian was involved in all of United’s recent success during Sir Alex Ferguson’s latter years at the club and was often described as a marauding right back that was aggressive but tireless.

Melo, Jovetic head to Inter Milan

Former Brazilian international looks to be heading back to one of Europe’s finest after Galatasaray accepted a 2.2 million pounds transfer bid from Inter Milan for his services. The 32-year old former Juventus anchor stated last month that his family is not happy living in Turkey and that put several top clubs on alert. Inter manager Roberto Mancini has always shown his love for experienced defensive midfielders, once purchased an ageing Patrick Vieira in his first season at Manchester City as manager.

Another player heading back to Italy this week is Stevan Jovetic. The Montenegrin international has joined Inter Milan on loan after two roller coaster seasons at Manchester City. After leaving Fiorentina two years ago for 22 million pounds, Jovetic won the Premier League and League Cup in his first season with City but only featured in 16 games because of injury. He appeared in 23 games last season but only found the net five times. A remarkable talent upon leaving Florence, any pure football fan will hope Jovetic rediscovers his mojo in Milan.Szczesny leaves for playing timeDi Maria’s future finally resolved

With Petr Cech unveiled as an Arsenal player earlier this summer and playing number two to David Ospina towards the end of last season, Wojciech Szczesny has left Arsenal for AS Roma on loan. Initially it seemed Ospina would have been the goalkeeper to depart with Szczesny becoming Cech’s understudy. However, after the Polish goalkeeper had fallen out with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for smoking in the dressing room shower earlier this year, some are wondering if his career as a Gooner might have come to an end. With that said, time is on his side. I fully expect the young Pole to return to the Arsenal squad next season.

Readers, we have found Angel Di Maria! Photos emerged this week of Di Maria shaking hands with Paris Saint-Germain officials in Qatar before more photos of the Argentine midfielder completing a medical. Di Maria completed his transfer from Manchester United on Thursday when he was unveiled as a PSG player having signed on the dotted line. The figure quoted for the transfer is around 44 million pounds.