Man Utd confirm £42m Raphael Varane transfer as new signing speaks out
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Manchester United have confirmed the £42million signing of long-standing transfer target Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.
The World Cup-winning defender has completed his medical and signed a four-year-deal which will keep him at United until 2025.
Real Madrid accepted a bid worth £34million rising to £42million with add-ons, the Spanish giants having received a solid sum for a player whose contract runs out next summer despite wanting closer to £50million.
And it is apparent that the four-time Champions League winner had his heart set on a move to Old Trafford as he looks to join the rest of the squad ahead of the season opener against rivals Leeds United.
Varane told Los Blancos he had no intention of signing an extension, despite new manager Carlo Ancelotti’s desire to keep him.
The 28-year-old looked up to Rio Ferdinand growing up, and approached him to shake his hand following Saturday's announcement.
While a deal in principle was announced earlier this month, United had to wait for Varane to receive his visa and finish quarantining before confirming the signing.
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Speaking to the club in his first interview, Varane said: “Manchester United is one of the most iconic clubs in world football and the chance to come here and play in the Premier League is something I couldn’t turn down.
“There is a lot more that I want to achieve in my career and I know I’m joining a squad full of great players who will all have the same determination to win matches and trophies. Having spoken to the manager I can see how much progress has been made over the last few seasons and I now join a group ready to play at the highest level.
“I want to make an impact here and I will give everything to become part of this club’s illustrious history.”"
Meanwhile, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have managed to secure one of the best defenders in the world over the last 10 years. Raphael is a proven winner who we have tracked over a long period of time and we know just how much of a dedicated professional he is.
“We have great depth of international defenders and he will add his immense skill set and leadership to that group. He is a unique defender with a rare combination of top-level attributes that I know will rub off on our younger players.
“He has won everything there is to win but I know that he is still determined to succeed, I can’t wait to welcome him into the squad.”
The Reds had tried to sign the veteran a decade ago before his move to Madrid and on at least one other occasion but had fallen short of Real Madrid’s whopping valuation.
Varane becomes United’s second marquee signing of the summer window, following England starlet Jadon Sancho’s whopping £73million signing from Borussia Dortmund.
The French international will partner another England star, Harry Maguire, in central defence where he will bring experience and reliability as United look to challenge rivals Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool for the Premier League title.
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