Manchester United have been given permission to approach Raphael Varane and are negotiating personal terms ahead of a potential move from Real Madrid.
If terms can be agreed, United are expected to open talks with Real Madrid over a fee – although Paris Saint-Germain are also in talks with Varane’s camp.
It is thought the 28-year-old centre-back would be open to the move if an agreement can be reached.
United are believed to be cautious as they do not want a repeat of what happened with Sergio Ramos in 2015, when they were given encouragement the player would come to Old Trafford – only for him to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu.
Varane still has a year left on his Real Madrid contract and United are keen to negotiate a lower transfer fee knowing he is free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January.
The France international is one of a number of centre-backs United are looking at this summer as they make the position a priority to strengthen.
The Premier League side have also moved to strengthen their attack, completing a deal to sign England international Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for £73m, subject to a medical.
Varane would be another significant statement of intent to compete with Manchester City for the Premier League title next season, having established himself as one of the world’s best defenders since joining Real from French side Lens in the summer of 2011.
He has gone on to make over 350 appearances for the club, and be capped 79 times by France, helping them to World Cup glory in 2018 and starting all four of their matches at Euro 2020 before they were knocked out Switzerland.
Manchester United close to agree Raphael Varane personal term.
Manchester United are close to agreeing personal terms with Raphael Varane but are still to match Real Madrid’s valuation for the defender.
Varane has one year left on his deal at the Santiago Bernabeu and is now reportedly favouring a move to Old Trafford.
The Manchester Evening News reports United are ‘not far off’ from agreeing terms with the France international, who hopes to head straight to Manchester following his post-season holiday rather than heading back to the Spanish capital.
While negotiations have been described as ‘pretty slow’, United remain confident Varane will join the club this summer.
ABC in Spain meanwhile reports United and Real are still haggling over a price for the 28-year-old.
Los Blancos are ready to cash in on the defender but want a fee of €50m with United’s offer said to be no more than €45m at the moment.
The report adds if Real’s valuation is not met they will keep Varane at the club even if he does not commit to a new deal.
Varane has reportedly asked Real for a contract worth €12m per season with the Spanish giants having only offered a deal worth between €5m and €5.5m.