Given the notoriously complex Government guidelines surrounding what is required when travelling between countries, signing players from abroad while still in the COVID-19 pandemic, is proving to be somewhat of a headache for all clubs and Manchester United are no exception.
Having reached an agreement, believed to be within the region of £42m, for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, Manchester United recently announced that pending a successful medical, the 2018 World Cup winner would become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s third summer signing.
However, despite the exciting news, the Red Devils’ backroom staff are currently tasked with sorting the logistics out which would see Varane fly over to England to undertake his medical assessment.
StrettyNews understands that both Manchester United and Varane are hopeful of finalising a flight from Spain to England for Thursday, this week.
Upon arrival, the defender will then need to self-isolate for five days, so long as he can then provide a negative ‘test-to-release’ COVID-19 test.
However, we also understand that the delay in arranging for Varane to fly to England has so far been caused by the club’s hierarchy enquiring to see if there are any Government exceptions that would allow the player to avoid isolating.
Although common practice for buying clubs to allow a player to have a medical with the club he is leaving, Manchester United refused to allow Varane to undertake a medical in Spain as the club understandably wanted their own staff to lead the medical.
Read more: Exclusive: Man United not in hunt to sign Atletico Madrid star