Manchester United have a ‘total agreement’ with Real Madrid over Rapahel Varane, a report has boldly claimed.
The France international is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top centre-back transfer target. And a move to Old Trafford could now be accelerated in the wake of his nation’s Euro 2020 exit on Monday night.
Varane was involved as France crashed out of Euro 2020 to Switzerland on Monday night.
Didier Deschamps’ side fell 1-0 down but turned the game around to lead 3-1 with just mere minutes left on the clock.
However, Switzerland rallied to score twice late on before winning the match via a penalty shoot-out – with Kylian Mbappe missing the decisive spot-kick.
For France, it’s a blow.
But it’s good news for United, who are now primed to go after Varane with everything they’ve got. Particularly with a deal for Jadon Sancho close to completion.
And Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada, speaking on El Chiringuito TV, has claimed United have a ‘total agreement’ with Real Madrid over a deal for the 28-year-old.
However, there’s mixed messages involved.
Another journalist on the show, Edu Aguirre, hasn’t dismissed the claims but expressed a belief that Varane doesn’t want to leave Real Madrid behind.
But, while that’s the case, United signing Varane is something that is expected to happen at the current moment in time.
Real have already lost Sergio Ramos, who is poised to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in the wake of his Bernabeu exit.
And Varane is keen to pursue a new challenge elsewhere, having spent the last decade strutting his stuff in Spain.
It’s previously been reported the 28-year-old has set his sights on a move to United, who tried to land him 10 years ago during Sir Alex Ferguson’s spell in charge.
And though he wants a massive salary in the region of £400,000-a-week, Solskjaer has made the France international his top target.
Should that happen, he’s expected to be deployed alongside Harry Maguire at the back.
And that would mean the likes of Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe having to settle for being squad players, instead of starters.
The Real Madrid star was coy on his future when quizzed on the matter last month, saying: “My future is clear, I am focused on the end of the season.
“We are in an intense moment and all our focus is on the matches we have ahead.
“The message to the fans is that I am 100 per cent committed to the team. We have challenges that encourage us a lot. I am focused on giving everything on the field.”
And former United star and coach Nicky Butt recently opened up on Varane, admitting the France international would be a great asset for the Red Devils if they can get him in the door.
“For me, next season has to be about getting some silverware back in that trophy cabinet for Manchester United,” Butt told Ladbrokes.
“It’s about getting the right players who will allow you to challenge for trophies.
“It’s a winning club, so we can’t go this long without silverware.
“The biggest thing that needs addressing for me at Manchester United this summer is that centre-back position; we need a partner for Harry Maguire.
“It has to be someone that’s going to be compatible with Maguire.
“If you spend the kind of money you did on Harry Maguire, you then have to follow it up by bringing someone in who can play with him.
“He’s the club captain; Victor Lindelof is too similar to him. It needs to be someone with pure, blistering pace, someone who can play out from the back.
“Everyone talks about Raphael Varane. I understand he’s a little bit older than most people would perhaps like, but you just have to go back to the days of Teddy Sheringham.
“I think we bought him when he was 32, and we went and won the treble with him. If Varane is available, then I’d go all out for him.”