Manchester United have confirmed that they have reached an agreement to sign French midfielder Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been looking for a new partner for Harry Maguire for a while now, and although his original focus was on Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Villarreal’s Pau Torres, he turned his attention to Varane when it became clear he wanted out. Real.
Real had been reluctant to sell Varane, but with one year left on their contract, they had no choice but to sell and United quickly made it clear that they were ready to take advantage of the situation.
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We have agreed on an agreement in principle for the transfer of @RaphaelVarane to United! ? ⚪️⚫️ # MUFC
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) 27 July 2021
Personal terms were not a problem for United, who have now gone to their official website to confirm that they have reached an agreement with Real to land the World Cup winner.
In a brief statement, the club said: “Manchester United are delighted to announce that the club have reached an agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of French international defender and World Cup winner Raphaël Varane, provided a medical and player condition has been completed.”
The fee for Varane is not mentioned. Real had originally looked for close to 70 million pounds, but United made it clear that they would not pay that kind of money and are believed instead to have closed the deal to about 45 million pounds.
Varane will be United’s third signing of the summer following the £ 72.9m acquisition of winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and the deal to sign Tom Heaton on a free transfer.
United are not slowing down in the transfer market yet. Talks are also underway to sign right-back Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid, while there are also plans to sign a new midfielder.
Sunshine is not clear yet / Kacper Pempel – Pool / Getty Images
Rennes’ Eduardo Camavinga and Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez have both been suggested as possible goals, but United may need to find out the future of Paul Pogba before making a final decision on that front.
There are even suggestions that United could follow up this Varane deal with a move for Kounde, who is also being chased by Chelsea, Real and Tottenham.
