Manchester United have been told to fork out €70 million to secure the services of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid this coming summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Manchester United have been told to improve their offer if they are to land Raphael Varane in the summer transfer window. The reigning La Liga champions have rebuffed a €45 million offer from the Red Devils and are demanding €70 million in exchange for their star defender.
Varane arrived at Real Madrid as a prodigious young defender from RC Lens a decade ago and has since gone on to fulfill his potential and some with the Spanish giants. Widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, the 28-year-old has turned out over 350 times for Los Blancos while also chipping in with 17 goals and 7 assists.
The player’s time at Real Madrid, though, appears to be reaching its end, with widespread reports indicating that he is desperate for a new challenge in his career. Real Madrid, on their part, are open to cashing in on Varane as well, seeing as he will enter the final year of his contract this summer. The situation, meanwhile, has piqued the interest of Manchester United.
The Red Devils have an urgent need to bolster their central defensive ranks, having been brutally exposed on the rare occasions when Harry Maguire has been unavailable. While Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have the tendency to produce some blinders, they do have an error in them, as was illustrated this past week, when Manchester United were beaten 4-2 by Liverpool.
Furthermore, both the centre-backs have been troubled by a few injuries this season, with Bailly’s tryst with fitness issues running even deeper. In addition, Axel Tuanzebe, who is valued highly by Manchester United, could be on his way out of Old Trafford this summer, either on loan or on a permanent deal, with Aston Villa keen on signing him.
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As a result, it is not hard to see why Manchester United are eager to sign a centre-back, with Varane a viable target. In fact, the Premier League heavyweights are reportedly preparing a €45 million bid to swoop the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner away from Real Madrid.
The Merengues, though, are scoffing at such an offer and want to recoup around €70 million from his services. The report does mention that Manchester United have enough room to raise their bid for Varane, although Real Madrid might have to settle for a lower amount than what they wish to raise from his sale, considering his desire to leave.
On their part, Real Madrid are also scouring the market for potential replacements, with Milan Skriniar among those targeted by the club. What now remains to be seen, though, is whether Manchester United are prepared to meet the €70 million valuation to sign Varane this coming summer.
