United receive a major boost in Raphael Varane transfer but there is a catch | OneFootball

Manchester United have received ‘encouragement’ that Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane is interested in moving to Old Trafford in the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Varane has been a long-term target for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and if reports are to be believed, he is looking for a fresh challenge in the summer.

He has a year left on his contract and is reluctant to extend his stay at the club. On that basis, Madrid may have no choice but to sell him in the summer, to avoid letting him go for free in 2022.

The report states that United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward believes Varane to be an ideal partner to join Harry Maguire at the back, but he is looking for Los Blancos to reduce the £60 million asking price.

United are expected to talk to Madrid drop the fee to somewhere close to £45m for the defender.

The La Liga giants are expected to agree to any lucrative deal that comes on the table for Varane, but several other clubs including Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing the 27-year-old.

With Eric Bailly not expected to sign a fresh contract with the club, United are in dire need of signing a central defender next season, and Varane would certainly be a solid option.

He has won three La Liga titles to add to his four Champions League trophies for Madrid during his 10-year stint and would bring experience and winning mentality to the club.

He was also a key part of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning team, and he could certainly help the Red Devils in their bid to win their first Premier League trophy since the 2012-13 season.