Man Utd could swap two players for Raphael Varane after opening transfer bid rejected

Man Utd: The first six fixtures of the new Premier League season

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Manchester United are in the market for a new centre-back this summer, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking to bring in a new partner for club captain Harry Maguire. The Red Devils have been linked with a whole host of potential recruits, including Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.

According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, United have made an initial £50m bid for the France international.

However, Madrid are said to be holding out for a fee of around £80m.

The report states that United are ‘reluctant’ to meet that asking price and they remain in talks with the La Liga side in the hope of reaching ‘a compromise over the fee’.

One way United could reach that compromise is by offering Madrid some of their players in a swap deal.

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Madrid have been hit hard financially by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with Spanish outlet Diario Sport outlining back in January that the club’s gross total debt figure was €901m (£771m).

Their net debt also sits at around €355m (£303m) and club president Florentino Perez has already warned that there will be no big money signings this summer, telling El Larguero: “In general, there will not be big transfers this summer. 

“If we don’t sign Mbappe this summer, I don’t think any fan will shoot himself in the head. They know we’re doing our best, and if things don’t happen, it’s because they’re impossible.”

As a result, Madrid may well be open to accepting a player-plus-cash deal for Varane and Express Sport has taken a look at two players United could include.

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Anthony Martial

According to the Transfer Window podcast, Martial has already been offered to Madrid on a season long loan with an option to buy.

However, United could now look to make him part of the Varane deal to bridge the gap between their initial offer and Madrid’s asking price.

A versatile forward capable of playing anywhere across the frontline, Martial could prove a useful addition at the Bernabeu as a back-up option to Karim Benzema

Martial prefers to play as a central striker and he would certainly be an upgrade on Madrid’s current second choice striker Mariano, who managed just one goal in 22 appearances for Los Blancos last season.

Donny van de Beek

The Dutch midfielder’s £40m move to Old Trafford has clearly not worked out so far, with the 24-year-old managing just four Premier League starts last season.

Reports have linked the 24-year-old with a move away this summer, and he could be an attractive option for Madrid, who came close to signing him before United swooped.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Van de Beek explained just how close a move to the Bernabeu came, saying: “Everything was closed with Real Madrid and the clubs also had an agreement, but for some reason it did not materialise. 

“Players who were going to leave the team stayed and Madrid backed down.”

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