Manchester United appear to be one step closer to signing Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane following reports that a € 58m transfer fee (£ 49.7m) has been agreed between the clubs.
Varane is known to be keen on a new challenge after spending 10 years at Real and his contract situation – he has entered the last 12 months of his current deal – has forced Los Blancos to sell him now with the risk of otherwise lose him as a free agent next summer.
United’s search for a center-back partner for Harry Maguire has taken them seriously considering Pau Torres and Jules Kounde, as well as a passing interest in others like Caglar Soyuncu and Ben White, but Varane’s relatively sudden availability has changed things.
This is a rare chance to sign a proven World Cup and several Champions League winners at their peak without breaking the bank. Even at 28, Varane could have five or more years left at the top.
Varane won the World Cup 2018 and has four Champions League medals in his collection / Matthias Hangst / Getty Images
90 minutes had reported on Thursday that United are “hopeful and excited” about the possibility of landing Varane, after receiving decisive encouragement from their representatives after starting to approach the situation with some caution. The goal is now in sight.
Speculation that is credited to local publication ABC, but which can not yet be traced online to the direct source, is now abundant with a fee of 58 million euros has been agreed. Strangely enough, the latest article on Varane on ABC’s website, which was published after the story began to gain traction on social media, only says that a departure from Real is “in the beginning” but mentions a fee of 50 million euros as the number they would consider.
The proposed fee is significantly less than the £ 80 million United paid for Maguire in 2019, although it still makes Varane the second most expensive midfielder in the club’s history. However, it will be worth it if this is the midfield partnership that ultimately supports a Premier League fee.
The Spanish publication SPORT has noted that Varane was disappointed with Real’s contract offer worth € 7 million per season given his loyalty and achievements with the club over the past decade, especially when the club has guaranteed new deals to David Alaba € 12 million each year.
Varane was disappointed with the contract he was offered by Real Madrid and wants a new challenge / Denis Doyle / Getty Images
ABC had already revealed earlier this month that Varane stands to earn almost twice at Old Trafford what Real had offered him. He will receive the equivalent of 12 million euros (10.3 million pounds) per season, which adds up to 200,000 pounds per week
The Manchester Evening News also recently reported that a personal terms agreement with United is close and that “slow” progress has not been a real concern given that Varane remains on holiday after Euro 2020. The player’s personal preference is said to be to go directly to Manchester when his break is over, rather than having to sign up for duty before the season in Madrid.
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