After what feels like the longest transfer saga in football history, Manchester United have finally reached an agreement to sign French midfielder Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.
It is a business that has been going on for a decade; Sir Alex Ferguson had been keen to sign a then 18-year-old Varane from RC Lens in 2011 before United were dropped to his signature by Los Blancos and looted for Phil Jones instead …
Everything is good which, however, ends well.
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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
The good people on Twitter were inevitably quick to point out the long-standing nature of this particular transmission after the usual social media message and recalled some of the other far-fetched offers that actually never came to pass.
MESSAGE GAITAN
– Si Lloyd (@ SmnLlyd5) July 27, 2021
But for the most part, after some rather dubious transfer deals since Sir Alex left the club in 2013 and with the fee rumored to be around £ 43 million, the faithful of the Red Devils seemed quite chuffed.
Raphael Varane is a Man United player
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– Aidan Walsh? (@AidanWalshMUFC) July 27, 2021
Football is not a real man. That’s all the fugazi family. pic.twitter.com/8VWiocm34l
– Steve Arnott (@LaPiochey) July 27, 2021
Ole Gunnar Solskjær – Manager Darren Fletcher – Technical Manager John Murtough – Football Director
Jadon Sancho – £ 73 million (five equal payments over five years, £ 14.5 million a year)
Raphael Varane – £ 34 million
This. Is. Different.
– Suhail (@SuhailChowdhary) July 27, 2021
4 times Champions League winner Raphael Varane joins Manchester United and takes the jersey number 4 to lead Man United to number 4. Written in the stars.
– Trey (@UTDTrey) July 27, 2021
Knew Varane was real when he rattled Simeone after being a colossal on his UCL Final debut at 21. Which player pic.twitter.com/J8BTMYDl1B
– Ryan. (@Rygista) July 27, 2021
Back in Madrid, everything was quite emotional and wonderful when Los Blanco’s farewell came from one of their favorite sons, who leaves the Bernabeu with a sincerely ridiculous trophy move.
Thanks, @raphaelvarane.? 4x @ChampionsLeague? 4x Club World Cup? 3x UEFA Super Cup? 3x @LaLigaEN? 1x Copa del Rey ?? 3x Spanish Super Cup # HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/BgQu8WjTTl
– Real Madrid CF ???? (@realmadriden) July 27, 2021
It is at least at the official level. Fans did not seem happy that Varane got to follow club legend Sergio Ramos through the front door, with David Alaba Real’s only signing so far this summer.
Real Madrid right now with Perez pic.twitter.com/Hm4yuTK1s9
– 3zoz | #Madrid. (@ Exi3z) July 27, 2021
Buy kounde ans Mbappé we need new players
– Haalandinho ⚔️? (@ Falloutour10) July 27, 2021
If there is something to go by, Man Utd has apparently had a better time with this deal.
I’m still struggling to believe that Raphael Varane will now wear Manchester United’s red shirt.
INCREDIBLE.
– UtdFaithfuls (@UtdFaithfuls) July 27, 2021
