Manchester United and Real Madrid are finalising the formalities over Raphael Varane’s move to Old Trafford with a deal expected to be confirmed in a ‘matter of hours or days’.
The two teams have been locked in negotiations over a deal for the France international, who informed the Spanish side of his desire for a new challenge in the Premier League.
Varane has entered the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu and Real are close to finalising his exit, with Los Blancos keen to avoid losing the 28-year-old on a free transfer in 2022.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had made Varane his leading defensive target as the club seek a partner for Harry Maguire in central defence, following the £72.9m capture of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund earlier this week.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that an agreement for Varane is imminent, revealing that the defender has already agreed personal terms with the Red Devils ahead of the transfer.
Raphaël Varane to Manchester United, here we go! 🔴 #MUFC
Agreement almost done between Man Utd and Real Madrid, just final details to be completed and then paperworks time. It’s a “matter of hours or days”. Here-we-go. 🇫🇷
Varane has a total agreement on personal terms too. 🤝
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 26, 2021
No fee has been revealed, though recent reports have suggested that Real were seeking a figure of between €45m and €50m for the World Cup winner.
Varane’s departure will be the second major centre-back departure from the club this summer with Sergio Ramos having joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, though David Alaba has arrived from Bayern Munich.
Varane signed for Real Madrid from Lens as a teenager and has spent a decade in the Spanish capital, making 360 appearances in all competitions and winning three league titles and four Champions League trophies amongst his major honours.
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