Manchester United are closing in on signing Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane with personal terms reportedly agreed.
The centre back has been one of United’s top transfer targets this summer with his Bernabeu deal set to expire next year.
And now his arrival at Old Trafford is imminent with the finer details of his switch in place, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to partner Varane with captain Harry Maguire in the heart of his defence.
Solskjaer looks set for a perfect transfer window, having already solved their lack of quality on the right wing with the £73m signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Their other long-standing shortcoming was a central defender to play alongside England star Maguire, with Victor Lindelof struggling to complement the £80m man’s abilities.
Sancho’s arrival and the impeding signing of Varane is a sign of intent from Solskjaer’s side that they are ready to breach the gap between them and rivals City, who won the Premier League by 12 points last season.
United finished second in England’s top flight last term and also ended the campaign as Europa League runners-up to Villarreal – who defeated the Red Devils after a long-running penalty shootout in the Gdansk final.
Manchester United believe they can strike another bargain deal this summer with hope they can sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez for £45m.
There is increasing confidence at Old Trafford that United will secure a deal to sign Raphael Varane this summer, with the club hopeful of agreeing a fee lower than €50m.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are also exploring the possibility of bringing in another midfielder with Paul Pogba’s future still unresolved.
United have long been interested in Spain international Saul, but the midfielder’s desire to stay at Atletico and a £129m release clause have ensured they have remained admirers from afar.
Saul’s situation has changed this summer with the player eager to take on a new challenge. Atletico are also prepared to let him go for the right place.
According to the Daily Mail, United believe a deal could be done for £45m.
Saul could be a candidate to replace Pogba at Old Trafford with the Frenchman still to sign a new deal with United.
Pogba is into the final year of his current deal with his agent Mino Raiola holding talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a possible move.
United are now exploring midfield targets amid the uncertainty over the France international’s future with West Ham United’s Declan Rice and Rennes starlet Eduardo Camavinga also linked.