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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