Manchester United are reportedly close to securing the signing of Real Madrid star Raphael Varane.
United have already agreed a £72million deal for Jadon Sancho with Borussia Dortmund and there are now at least six further players linked with a move to Old Trafford.
But links to Varane have been widespread for some time and ESPN now claim United are ‘close to finalising a deal’ for the centre-back.
It’s claimed the club have stepped up their pursuit of the 28-year-old after receiving encouragement from Madrid who are prepared to negotiate a ‘realistic fee’ for the France international.
F365 says: Nuno has failed upwards and Levy has f***ed it again
And his country’s exit from Euro 2020 is said to have further stirred United chief John Murtough into action.
United are reportedly confident of striking a deal of around £40million.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on finding a suitable partner for Harry Maguire in the heart of United’s defence and though they have also shown an interest in Villarreal’s Pau Torres, Varane was always said to be their top target.
The report claims Varane’s departure could pave the way for Madrid to move for Torres as his replacement.
Former United midfielder and coach Nicky Butt recently urged the club to land Varane.
For me, next season has to be about getting some silverware back in that trophy cabinet for Manchester United, Butt said.
Its about getting the right players who will allow you to challenge for trophies.
Its a winning club, so we cant go this long without silverware.
The biggest thing that needs addressing for me at Manchester United this summer is that centre-back position; we need a partner for Harry Maguire.
It has to be someone thats going to be compatible with Maguire.
If you spend the kind of money you did on Harry Maguire, you then have to follow it up by bringing someone in who can play with him.
Hes the club captain; Victor Lindelof is too similar to him. It needs to be someone with pure, blistering pace, someone who can play out from the back.
Everyone talks about Raphael Varane. I understand hes a little bit older than most people would perhaps like, but you just have to go back to the days of Teddy Sheringham.
I think we bought him when he was 32, and we went and won the treble with him. If Varane is available, then Id go all out for him.
