Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of agreeing a fee with Real Madrid for Raphael Varane as talks have “intensified” over the weekend.
The Old Trafford club have identified the French defender as their number one target after Jadon Sancho’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund was confirmed on Friday in a £72million deal.
United believe that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs a partner for Harry Maguire at the centre of defence if they are to be serious Premier League title contenders this season.
Varane is said to be keen on a move to the Red Devils with personal terms agreed, reportedly an “astronomical” salary.
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The transfer fee has proven to be a stumbling block with United’s initial offer of £40m falling short of Madrid’s £60m valuation of the 28-year-old.
But it’s claimed there has been a breakthrough as negotiations “intensified” over the weekend with Varane expected to be confirmed as a United player in the coming days. according to Le Parisian.
This comes after Varane reported for pre-season on Friday as he met up with his Real Madrid teammates and new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
And it’s claimed the stopper had showdown talks with Zinedine Zidane’s successor upon his arrival at the Valdebeba training base to discuss his future at the club.
AS reported that Varane, who has one year left on his current Madrid deal, was hoping the Italian boss would help convince the Spanish club to offer him an improved contract extension, equal to the terms that United have offered him.
But that is not how the meeting went down as the former Everton manager made it clear Real Madrid were not going to up their initial offer.
Varane now feels uncomfortable about returning to the Bernabeu with his future hanging in the balance, which likely accelerated talks between the parties over the weekend with his arrival at Old Trafford now imminent.
