Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘wants Raphael Varane instead of any other defender’

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Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dream centre-back signing is Real Madrid star Raphael Varane, according to reports. The centre-back could leave the Bernabeu at the end of the campaign. And he was previously wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho during their reigns at Old Trafford.

United are keen to sign a centre-back this summer.

Solskjaer feels the club need a long-term partner for Harry Maguire and appears to have doubts over Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe at the current moment in time.

United have been linked with a plethora of targets, ranging from Sergio Ramos to Ibrahim Konata, Dayot Upamecano to Ben White.

Yet Forbes claim Solskjaer’s own personal wish is the signing of Varane at the end of the campaign.

The France international has been at Real ever since arriving from Lens back in 2011, when he snubbed Ferguson to play under Mourinho.

He’s won every single trophy available at the Bernabeu, including three La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns.

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Varane hasn’t signed a new contract at Madrid so far, with his contract due to expire in 2022.

And it’s claimed that Ed Woodward previously indicated in 2018 that the club would be prepared to pay a massive £100million to bring the 2018 World Cup winner to Old Trafford.

The coronavirus crisis means deals of that size are unlikely to happen this summer.

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But United have been ‘given hope’ that Varane will soon be on the move and he could leave Madrid behind for a discounted fee of around £50m.

That would make him the second most-expensive centre-back signing in the club’s history, below only the £80m they paid Leicester for Harry Maguire in 2019.

And whether United are able to land their man remains to be seen.

While Varane is Solskjaer’s preferred transfer target, Ramos also remains linked with a move to the club.

The Spain international’s own time with Real appears to be winding down, with Florentino Perez unwilling to meet the player’s huge salary demands.

And Dimitar Berbatov recently urged United to sign Ramos, saying: “I have always said that United need another defender.

“But looking at the recent performances of Eric Bailly, if he stays focused and injury free then he can be a rock at the back of defence.

“But if United are going to buy someone, especially at this point in the season, them to be a perfect fit for the team. I don’t think they need anyone at the moment.

“I have read the reports about Sergio Ramos and there is a lot of speculation about his future. He could bring a lot of experience and steel to any team.

“Although he is 34, he is still a top player and United could do a lot worse. If he is available I can see a lot of teams interested in signing him.

“At his age of course Real Madrid are reluctant to offer him a long contract. Maybe they are arguing about money because it always comes down to money, but both sides should think long and hard about it because the grass isn’t always greener.

“Thiago Silva is 36, he moved to Chelsea and, although he hasn’t been that bad, to me it looks as though he is struggling to keep up with the pace of the Premier League.

“I have no doubts that players would love to join United but January is a tough time to move.

“Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Bruno Fernandes did it, and turned out to be great signings, but the same was not true for others who joined at this time of year.”

Ramos previously admitted to being ‘flattered’ by United’s interest when they tried to sign him in 2015, back when Louis van Gaal was manager.

“There was an offer from United,” Ramos told COPE at the time.

“I considered changing for a while but Real Madrid was always my priority and there were no economic reasons.

“Did I feel cheated [by Madrid]? No, but I did feel disappointed for a while. There were some troubles that came to an end.”

“I have not heard about [interest from Chelsea]. Many things have always been said.

“Flattery from big clubs is always good as this is because you are doing well, but if the fans and my club want me.”

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