Real Madrid and Manchester United are close to finalising a €45 million deal for Raphael Varane, with the transfer expected to be wrapped up this week.
According to a report from Le Parisien, the Raphael Varane transfer saga may be reaching its final act as Real Madrid and Manchester United have intensified negotiations over a €45 million deal.
Varane has been with Real Madrid for ten years now, having arrived from French club RC Lens in 2011. One of the most accomplished defenders of the modern era, the 28-year-old has laid his hands on every trophy he has contested for with Los Blancos while also winning the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018.
Having entered the final year of his contract with Real Madrid, Varane has decided not to sign an extension as he wishes to test himself in a new challenge. Alerted by the development, Manchester United, who have been admirers of the France international from well before he signed for Los Blancos, have acted swiftly to try and secure a transfer.
Manchester United need a new central defender this summer as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeks a reliable, long-term partner for club captain Harry Maguire. Both Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have proven to be inconsistent and injury-prone, more so in the case of the latter, while Phil Jones is no longer a part of the manager’s plans.
With there being the possibility of Axel Tuanzebe heading out on loan, a new centre-half becomes a necessary addition for the 20-time English champions, with Varane emerging as the top priority. Talks over a transfer have been ongoing for a while with Real Madrid, but a resolution is yet to be arrived upon, despite reports claiming contrarily in the recent past.
Things, though, seem to be picking up speed now, with Le Parisien citing information from a club source claiming that discussions are going on positively and at a quick pace. The French publication further adds that the deal could be finalised by the end of this week, with a transfer fee of around €45 million – much lower than Real Madrid’s €80 million demand – likely to do the trick.
Personal terms are not an issue, with Manchester United having tied up a contract agreement with Varane already. Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano also provided an update on similar lines, insisting that the Red Devils’ board was confident of the deal going over the line soon. As things stand, a deal seems to be only a matter of when and not if.
