Italian website Tuttomercato usually comes up with many ‘exclusives’ almost on a daily basis. While they are mostly accurate with their reports on Italian clubs, the same cannot be said on their coverage on foreign clubs.

Anyway, Tutto claim on Wednesday that Manchester United have agreed a deal to send defender Guillermo Varela to Genoa on loan for the rest of the season. 

They have an exclusive photograph of the player’s agent holding talks with the Genoa club president, and understand that a deal has been agreed between the Uruguayan and the Italian club.

The report then goes on to say that the only stumbling block for the deal to go through is Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, who wants the youngster to stay put.

Genoa want to sign the player initially on loan, but the transfer has been blocked by the Dutchman.

The Italian side are hopeful that a deal can be agreed and the player’s agent is actively trying to take Varela away from Old Trafford in January.

The 22-year-old defender has only played two Premier League games for Manchester United this season. He is not in the first team plans of LVG, and therefore the club should allow him to go out on loan and get some games under his belt.

At the same time, fullback is one area where United are short of options, and therefore the club need to sign a defender first before Varela’s exit can be sanctioned.