Manchester United ready to offload captain on a free next week

Manchester United club captain Antonio Valencia will be allowed to leave the club before the close of the transfer window, The Sun reports.

The Ecuadorian has seen his playing time limited this season and struggled to force his way into the first team under either Jose Mourinho or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following injury.

The right-back, now 33, will see his contract run out in the summer, with United not willing to offer the South American a new contract and now hoping to rid themselves of his £100k-per-week wages for the remainder of the season.

A loan move is still the most likely, though The Red Devils want Valencia’s salary to be paid in full, effectively taking up the remainder of his contract, so a free transfer is also on the cards.

The news is likely to attract a number of clubs on the continent, though both Newcastle and Fulham are thought to be keen to offer the former Wigan star a chance to stay in the Premier League and assist in their bids to beat the drop.

The versatile veteran has won two league titles in his time at United, making 338 appearances since moving to the club in 2009, with only five of those coming in the league this season.