Report: Juventus close to signing United's Darmian on loan

Italian champions Juventus are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian on loan with an option to buy, according to The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano.

The Bianconeri will sign Darmian on a temporary deal until the end of the season, at which point they will be able to make the move permanent for a fee of €8 million (£7.1 million). The four-month loan will come at a price of £2.6 million (€2.9 million) for Juve.

The Italy international, who is understood to have his heart set on a return to Serie A, is out of contract in the summer, but Romano reports United will extend his deal by a single year in order to receive a transfer fee for the 29-year-old.

Darmian, who last played in Italy for Juventus' city rival Torino, joined United under Louis van Gaal's reign in 2015, but has seen his playing time decrease significantly since his arrival. After playing just eight Premier League games last season, he's managed six so far in all competitions this term despite the Red Devils' struggles prior to Jose Mourinho's dismissal.

In fact, he has played just one minute plus injury time in the league under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but Juventus see him as a useful utility player in defense and out wide as they continue to compete on domestic and European fronts.