Manchester United are finally close to the signing of Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
The France international has 12 months to run on his deal at the club but he’s intimated that he will not sign an extension as he wants to seek a new challenge.
The Red devils have long admired Varane, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward privately conceding in 2018 that United would be prepared to break their transfer record to sign the player.
Real Madrid have reluctantly decided to sell Varane as they fear he will leave for nothing in 2022 and the La Liga side had been hoping to raise as high as £70m for the Frenchman.
But, given his current contract situation, ESPN say a deal is close to being finalised for around £45m and negotiations have progressed well since France’s exit from the Euros.
United had identified Villarreal’s Pau Torres as a potential alternative but Madrid are now willing to accept a realistic fee for Varane and Solskjaer’s side will press ahead with a move for the player.
It follows United’s agreement to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, with the attacker expected to join in the coming days after a £72.5 million fee was agreed.
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United baulked at the German club’s £108m asking price last summer but they have since lowered their asking price and Sancho is desperate to move to the theatre of dreams.
Once Varane completes the move to Old Trafford, Solskjaer will have spent most of his £150m budget but he hopes to sign a defensive midfielder with his remaining money.
United could sell Diogo Dalot, Jesse Lingard and Eric Bailly to raise more funds this summer.
