Manchester United will need to fork out £52m for Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane
It was reported earlier this week that Real Madrid have reduced their asking price for Manchester United target Raphael Varane to £60m.
According to El Partidazo de COPE (h/t The Daily Mail), they have now lowered it further to £52m. This is good news for the Red Devils who are keen to add to their defence in this summer window.
The 28-year-old centre-back has one year remaining on his contract with the Spanish giants. He has so far shown little inclination to extend his stay after 10 successful years at the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to bring in a centre-half signing to partner with captain Harry Maguire this summer. This should help the Red Devils close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the table.
Maguire’s absence in the UEFA Europa League final defeat to Villarreal highlighted how the other defenders at the club aren’t up to the required standard. While the likes of Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have their moments, those are few and far between.
Unlike them, Varane is a consistent performer who is well attuned to a winning mentality. He has not just won numerous Spanish and European titles with Real but also the World Cup with France in 2018.
Varane is currently with the French squad for the Euros. It remains to be seen if a strong showing could further embolden Madrid to vary their asking price.
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Real are set for a rebuild at the back this summer. Captain Sergio Ramos will be free to leave the club for nothing once his contract expires this summer. Los Blancos are not keen for Varane to go down the same path, prompting their actions. After all, unlike Ramos, the Frenchman is in the prime of his career. (h/t The Express)