Manchester United are closing in on a £68million double transfer swoop as they look to complete deals for Raphael Varane and Kieran Trippier, according to reports.
United have already agreed a £72.9m move for Jadon Sancho – with an announcement expected imminently – and have now turned their attention to improve their defence.
Negotiations have been taking place with Real Madrid defender Varane’s representatives and now The Sun claim that the Frenchman has agreed to move to Old Trafford.
The Red devils’ hierarchy had harboured fears the player might be using their interest in order to land a bumper new contract at the Bernabeu – a tactic used by Sergio Ramos in 2015.
But Varane’s camp are believed to have negotiated terms on a five-year deal and a move to Manchester is now imminent, though a fee still has to be agreed with Real Madrid.
However, Real have little power in the negotiation with Varane having made it clear he is not willing to extend his contract which expires next year – when he would be free to leave for nothing.
United are hoping a fee of around £50m will satisfy Real and The Sun claims deals for both Varane and Trippier are expected to be completed ‘towards the end of next week’.
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Trippier wants to return to the Premier League and discussions over an £18m transfer are now ‘in the final stages’.
Should both deals be done for those fees, it would take United’s summer spending to £140m before they have even played their first pre-season friendly game.
Trippier’s versatility is a big plus for Solskjaer – with the former Tottenham player able to play at either right-back, left-back or wing-back – and he is seen as a more attacking option than Wan-Bissaka.
