Manchester United Closing in on €50 Million Deal for Raphael Varane
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© Photo by Aurelien Meunier – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Manchester United and Real Madrid are finalizing the transfer of Raphael Varane for €50 million according to ESPN and Telefoot 1.
After officially confirming the transfer of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United have set their sights on a new world class center back. Varane, who has only one year remaining on his Real Madrid contract, does not feel valued by the Spanish club and appears to be ready for a new challenge.
It can be presumed that the French center back is justifiably unhappy that a new center back (Alaba) has been brought in on significantly higher wages. His former partner at the heart of the defense, Sergio Ramos, was making double what Varane earns. Compared to Premier League top dogs – who Varane can count as his equal – the Frenchman is not paid anywhere near what the market commands. Thus, if Real Madrid decide they cannot afford to raise his salary, then capturing a transfer fee for a player in his prime with just one year remaining on the deal, begins to make sense.
Real Madrid’s defense will be undergoing a massive transformation with two heavyweights, Varane and Ramos, potentially leaving the club in the same summer. Militao, the 23-year-old Brazilian, will be expected to take on a larger role next season. Nacho is also expected to sign a new contract, through 2024, solidifying his role as the team’s third choice center back after his big game performances last season. The hole potentially left by Varane could be filled by a new signing — targets like Kounde, Pau Torres, or Wesley Fofana. Other options includes the promotion of a Canterano like Chust or Gila, or even the return of Jesus Vallejo who was away on loan at Granada last season.