Manchester United have agreed to a fee of around 50m including add ons for Real Madrid center-back Raphael Varane which could be a vital signing following the big move of Sancho too.
Manchester United continues to look busy in this year’s transfer market having recently signed Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for around 73m, as the club announced its second signing of the summer, Raphael Varane for a fee of around 41m (50m including add ons).
The 28-year old French Center-back has established himself as one of the best defenders in the sport since joining Real Madrid for Ligue 1 side Lens in the summer of 2011. In his ten-year spell with Los Blancos, he went on to make a total of 350 appearances for the club and also was one of the key players behind Madrid’s Champions League success. To add to his resume, the Frenchman has also made a total of 79 caps for his country, helping his country win the FIFA World Cup in 2019. Varane also started France’s matches at the Euros before they got knocked out on penalties.
With Sergio Ramos leaving Madrid and Varane having one year left on his contract, he made it clear that he was not interested in signing a new contract with the Spanish club and was keen for a new challenge in the Premier League. With that in mind, it was a good deal for Real Madrid who decided to let Varane go for a 41m fee rather than losing him on a free transfer next summer.
After Manchester United’s loss to Queens Park Rangers in a pre-season friendly, manager Ole Gunnar Solksajer said that the team needs some improvement when it comes to defense and has been targeting a right-sided center-back to strengthen their backline. All Manchester United needed was someone to support the solid Harry Maguire at the heart of their defense and Raphael Varane seems to be the perfect man for it.
How could Manchester United line up be next season?
[Header Image Credit: Raphaël Varane]
Shashank Iyer