Pranav Nair
Manchester United set to make their opening bid for Raphael Varane this week
According to the Daily Mail (h/t The Metro), Manchester United will make their opening bid for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane this week.
The French ace has just 12 months to go on his current deal and could leave for free next summer. Having won it all at the Spanish club, he is now seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere. This has come as a boon for United who have been long-term admirers of the player.
Ed Woodward too has a good opinion of the player and had privately agreed in the past that the club would be willing to break their transfer record to sign the defender. Given the lack of aces Real hold in negotiations, that will not be necessary.
The Spaniards are seeking around £50m for the player, a price that United are unwilling to meet. The Red Devils will instead test the waters with an opening bid between £35m-£45m in the coming days.
As per the report, personal terms are not an issue. Varane has already agreed on a salary with United and will become one of the club’s best-paid players, trailing only David De Gea and Paul Pogba. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants a quick-footed centre-back to play alongside Harry Maguire and could go into the new season with the Frenchman in his ranks.
Real for their part have not given up hope of convincing Varane to stay at the club. Given their financial situation, it is unlikely that they can meet the player’s wage demands. Norwegian journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft has revealed that both Varane and Carlo Ancelotti share the same agent. He believes this will help settle the player’s future. However, in what context it remains unclear.
United will do well to make their move fast and wrap up the deal as soon as possible. According to Metro, Chelsea are looking for a late swoop to sign the player. It remains to be seen if us still testing the water will hand the Blues the initiative.
More Manchester United News
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- Atletico Madrid stance on Kieran Trippier joining Manchester United revealed
- David De Gea returns to Manchester United training ahead of schedule
The Red Devils will do well not to delay the proceedings for Varane. With pre-season already underway, getting the business done quick would be in our best interests.
