If there were an award for the best piece of summer transfer business, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would almost certainly be lifting his first piece of major silverware as Manchester United manager.
Much to the surprise of many fans, perhaps even the club themselves, the Red Devils have managed to strike a deal, understood to be within the region of just £41m (Sky Sports), with Real Madrid for defender Raphael Varane.
Although the agreement has been in place, as confirmed on the club’s official website, for quite some time, fans may still be forced to wait to see the Frenchman officially unveiled due to COVID-19 and visa protocols (Telegraph).
However, with the four-time Champions League winner’s formal announcement now just a matter of when and not if, it is undeniable that the Red Devils hierarchy has managed to complete one heck of a piece of business.
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One person who has reacted to the news that Varane will leave Los Blancos after a decade long spell at the Santiago Bernabeu and hailed the experienced centre-back is former Arsenal star, Robert Pires.
Speaking exclusively to TMW, the ex-France international said: “Varane will certainly adapt to English football.
“There will be matches in which he will suffer physical fights, but by now he is a player of great experience. I see him well paired with Maguire.
“Real’s renouncement of his defensive pair left me a bit by surprise – In my opinion, president Perez wants to renew his team, but replacing Ramos and Varane will not be easy.
“Surely the signing of David Alaba is a good choice.”