The West Ham United, Newcastle United and Fulham-linked right-back, Rafael da Silva, will leave Lyon on Monday, according to L’Equipe.
The Sun on Sunday (6 September, page 61) claimed Rafael wanted to quit the French side and return to the Premier League, where ‘West Ham have been linked’ and ‘Newcastle and Fulham are also keen’.
But L’Equipe reports the Brazilian is heading east as opposed to north-west.
His entourage is said to be negotiating with several clubs in Turkey.
And the French publication expects him to join Istanbul Basaksehir, after he laughed off talk of a move to Besiktas.
It is claimed the departure of Rafael – who played under the West Ham boss David Moyes at Manchester United – will save Lyon a ‘significant salary’.
All three of West Ham (Pablo Zabaleta), Newcastle (Jamie Sterry) and Fulham (Cody Drameh) have allowed right-backs to leave since the end of last season.
But the trio, it seems, will have to look elsewhere than Rafael for replacements.
Fans of West Ham, Newcastle and Fulham – would the 30-year-old have made a good signing?
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