Jack Grealish’s Man City announcement is not even the biggest news in Manchester tonight. Raphael Varane has landed.
While I seriously admired how Aston Villa confirmed the deal (putting everything from their side out on the table, no rubbish), I must add that I think City fans would be laughing at us if we’d just paid £100 million for Grealish.
Villa’s CEO Christian Purslow gave the fans an honest update after agreeing to sell their captain, who has been at the club for 19-years.
Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow updated supporters this evening on the circumstances surrounding the departure of Jack Grealish.
Here is his broadcast on VillaTV. pic.twitter.com/7wqh5Vs64R
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 5, 2021
I’d have cheered him if he had joined United – we shouldn’t forget he was more than up for a move to Old Trafford a year ago – but he’s far from world class. There’s undoubted hype and a player with a high ceiling, though Grealish has now gone from everyone’s favourite this summer to villain.
However, shortly after City announced their latest signing, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted confirmation that Raphael Varane has landed in Manchester.
Read more: Inter Milan, Manchester United and short term thinking
He says an official announcement will follow shortly, with Varane set to put pen to paper on a four year contract plus the option of a further season.
Raphaël Varane now landing in Manchester in order to complete his move to Manchester United. Confirmed. 🔴🛬 #MUFC
Official announcement soon. Contract until June 2025 + option to extend for one more season. https://t.co/gc9dq0Q9k7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2021
This signing addresses the problems we’ve had for years at the back.
And hopefully those who slated Harry Maguire are made eat their words because with a partner like Varane we should see him at his best.
It’s good we’ll be having two worlds great centrebacks