KEY POINTS

  • Manchester United is closing in on signing of Raphael Varane
  • Real Madrid is under financial pressure to sell the 28-year-old sooner than later
  • Varane has rejected all extensions and eyes firmly set on leaving the Bernabeu

Manchester United has its sights set on the English Premier League title, and its moves this transfer window are indicative of that goal.

The Red Devils finally concluded the Jadon Sancho transfer saga, having announced his official arrival to the club over the weekend.

The club is reportedly in pursuit of a defender to partner up with captain Harry Maguire as Manchester United wants to solidify its backline after conceding 44 goals for the 2020-21 season.

That pursuit has led them to Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, whose contract is set to expire in 2022.

The French defender has been at the top of Manchester United’s shortlist of transfer targets since Sancho’s arrival.

Goal reports that Real Madrid and Manchester Untied are closing in on a deal over the past couple of days but have since sped up.

The La Liga giants have already lost longtime captain Sergio Ramos to Paris Saint-Germain and would love nothing more than to keep Varane at the club.

Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka Mural
JULY 14: A general view of the mural at Trafford Park is seen on July 14, 2021 in Manchester, England. A Giant mural in support of the three England footballers Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka has been unveiled in Manchester. The England stars were targeted with racist abuse online after they missed penalties in the Euro 2020 final leading to defeat by Italy. Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images

After the conclusion of his 10th season at the Bernabeu, Varane was offered an extension early in the summer transfer window, but he opted to decline as he is adamant to join the Red Devils.

However, it might not be feasible for them to keep him despite new arrival David Alaba’s personal plea to keep him in Spain.

By this point, the club’s economic struggles are well-documented already due to the pandemic, and taking a step back this season by selling players is at the top of the list.

Reports indicate that the two sides are expected to have a deal in place somewhere within the €45 million ($53 million) and €55 million ($65 million) range.

Manchester United is using its leverage–Varane’s expiring contract, his desire to leave, and Real Madrid’s financial woes–to convince the club to sell him now rather than in the midseason window.

The two clubs are in good terms with each other as they’ve facilitated transfer moves with each other in the past years, most notably the then-world record transfer fee of £80 million ($110 million) for Cristiano Ronaldo.

While terms are expected to be had by the end of the week, both clubs are eagerly preparing for the start of their league’s respective seasons.

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