Man Utd ‘eyeing second centre back’ with Raphael Varane transfer ‘close’

Manchester United are eyeing a second centre back for the summer transfer window, with a deal for Raphael Varane already ‘close’.

The Red Devils are wasting no time getting their business done, agreeing a deal with Borussia Dortmund for forward Jadon Sancho.

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also working hard to shore up the defence, leading to negotiations for Real Madrid’s French star.

With a year left on his contract at the Bernabeu, the £42m price tag has not put the Premier League giants off and they are now ‘close’ following the 28-year-old’s Euro 2020 exit with France.

But Manchester Evening News have reported that United are not stopping their in their defensive recruitment drive.

The Old Trafford side want to add a ‘second centre-back’ to their ranks after getting the Varane deal – their ‘principal defensive target’ – over the line.

And this could see them chase several options such as Villarreal’s Pau Torres, who United faced in their unsuccessful Europa League final.

The report states that the La Liga side are ‘interested’ in bringing Eric Bailly back, having sold him to the English team in 2016.

Who do you think Manchester United should sign as a second centre-back? Let us know in the comments section.

It could lead to an ‘acceptance’ by Villarreal to have the Ivorian form part of a player-plus-cash deal for Torres, with the Spaniard commanding a €60million release clause.

Talks have accelerated for Varane after his country crashed out of Euro 2020 to Switzerland, following a round-of-16 5-4 penalty shootout loss after a 3-3 draw.

It has seen football director John Murtough become able to step up efforts to sign the 28-year-old.

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.

MEN’s report states that only Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have secure futures at Old Trafford, with Phil Jones surplus to requirements.

Youngsters Axel Tuenazebe and Teden Mengi, who were both given opportunities last season, are expected to be sent out on loan.

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