Man Utd ‘close in on Varane transfer’ in impressive start to summer window

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Manchester United are reportedly close to finalising a deal to sign Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.

The France star is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's top defensive target – and his capture for around £42m will represent an impressive start to the transfer window, with Jadon Sancho about to sign.

United have been helped by France's unexpected early exit from Euro 2020, with football director John Murtough now able to step up efforts to sign Varane.

And a deal is close to be completed, according to ESPN.

Sources have the publication that the Premier League giants are confident of striking a deal with Madrid to sign the 28year-old for around €50m (£42m).

The La Liga side had put a €70m (£61m) price tag on Varane's head, but United believe they can agree much more favourable terms with Madrid needing to offload players to finance a rebuild.

They had been targeting Villarreal defender Pau Torres as a potential alternative if they couldn't land Varane – but France's Euro heartbreak has speeded things up.

United's move for Varane comes after they agreed a fee of around £72.6million with Borussia Dortmund to sign number one target Sancho on a five-year deal.

The 21-year-old winger will complete his switch once England's involvement in Euro 2020 is over.

Can Manchester United win the Premier League title with Sancho and Varane on board? Have your say in the comments below

Solskjaer's side are getting their transfer business done quickly after learning from last summer, when they spent the entire transfer window chasing Sancho but were priced out by Dortmund's £108m valuation.

Varane has been seeking a new challenge after spending a decade at Real Madrid, where he won three La Ligas and four Champions League titles.

He is expected to become Harry Maguire's centre-half partner in place of Victor Lindelof, who appears to have reached his ceiling after four seasons with the club.

United will also pursue a right-back to increase competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka who made 34 Premier League appearances last season after joining from Crystal Palace in 2019.

  • Champions League
  • Premier League
  • Harry Maguire
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
  • La Liga
  • Manchester United FC
  • Euro 2020

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