Manchester United are ‘very close’ to completing a deal for Raphael Varane, according to one Spanish journalist.
Jorge Calabres told El Bunker podcast that Raphael Varane is closer to joining Manchester United this summer than he is to renewing his contract at Real Madrid, as cited by the Manchester Evening News.
That is a big sign of progress in the talks that we understand are ongoing, but ultimately it will come down to the transfer price Madrid set on the player.
United are not going to feel pushed around a negotiation table when the Frenchman, who reportedly wants to leave, is unwilling to sign a new contract when his current deal expires next year.
It is suggested that a bid worth £42 million with add-ons could persuade Los Blancos to sell.
The only real stumbling block will be the transfer fee. Other than that, United are always going to be wary of players using them to get bigger deals, but this feels different.
Fabrizio Romano told the Strettycast last week that Varane wants a new challenge in his career after 10-years at the Bernabeu.
A centre-back needs to be a priority for United before the transfer window shuts.
If we’ve learned anything from Euro 2020, it’s that Harry Maguire is without question a very good defender — and with the right partner we could all hopefully see that on a regular basis at United.
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United need to address the defensive midfield position as well. Lindelof is poor, Bailly usually injured, Tuanzebe is untried and there is no need to talk of Phil Jones! If Maguire is injured or banned, United cannot rely on the rest to cover the two centre back positions and a defensive midfielder is even more necessary. Fred can only be regarded as a back up against the weaker teams.
Without a ball winner in front to the defence, United will win nothing. A defensive midfielder will allow Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes to operate at attacking midfielders (Pogba is not a left winger (round peg, square hole!)), with Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek as back ups. Eduardo Camvinga is not a defensive midfielder, he would only be another addition to the midfield ranks and competition for either Scott McTominay or Donny van de Beek.
good news