Transfer Rumors: Manchester United Puts Pressure On Real Madrid For Star Defender's Transfer

Manchester United’s summer transfer window dealings are not yet over.

As the club has finally closed the chapter on securing Jadon Sancho’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund, the team is looking to upgrade the rest of the squad, particularly their backline.

The club has been linked in making a move for Real Madrid center-back Raphael Varane earlier this summer.

Real Madrid had rejected Manchester United’s earlier offer of £50 million ($59.3 million) as the club is reportedly looking to only entertain bids that are close to their asking price of £80 million ($94.8 million).

Jorge Calabres went on the "El Bunker" podcast to give an update on the Varane situation, and he believes that the French national is closer to a move to the English Premier League with Manchester United rather than staying with the La Liga powerhouse.

Calabres also mentioned that Manchester United’s offer to Varane is a five-year contract worth €12 million ($14.2 million) per season.

He also said that Real Madrid could be tempted to sell the center-back with a €50 million ($59.3 million) offer plus add-ons.

Real Madrid’s early unwillingness to sell the 28-year-old is confusing as his current contract is set to expire next year, allowing him to go to any club of his choosing on a free transfer.

However, Los Blancos needs to offload players to fund manager Carlo Ancelotti’s full squad rebuild.

Manchester United feels confident in that fact and that their current valuation for Varane could entice Real Madrid to sell the player rather than lose him for nothing next year.

The Red Devils have also been linked to Villareal’s Pau Torres early on, but their promising progress with Varane has pushed them to focus on that front.

If Real Madrid does agree to sell Varane to Manchester United, they will be leaving a gaping hole in their backline as they also lost Sergio Ramos early this summer.

However, the money that they’ve received for Varane could be flipped for another defender in Villareal’s Torres as he has a release clause of €65 million ($77 million).

Should Manchester United be able to pry away Varane from Real Madrid, they’ll be having a backline tandem of Varane and Harry Maguire that will surely anchor the defense.