Sources have told ESPN that Manchester United are being barred from pursuing Kieran Trippier and Raphael Varane because of the high prices being cited by their clubs.
United are interested in signing the right-back and centre-back this summer, with Trippier and Varane on the list of goals drawn up by the recruiting department and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Trippier is eager to return to the Premier League after two seasons at Atletico Madrid to be closer to his family, but the value quoted by middlemen is more than £30 million, which United considers too much for the 30-year-old. Very low selling price.
Solskjaer already has a regular right-back in Aaron Wan-Bissaka - who is worth £50m from Crystal Palace in 2019 - and when Alex Telles was signed last summer as left-back competition for Luke Shaw was, then the cost to Brazil was around £15m. from Porto.
Sources have told ESPN that Atletico are not ready to listen to any offers for Trippier because coach Diego Simeone considers him a key member of the team, and does not have enough confidence in backup substitute Sime Vrsaljko.
Varane has been a long-term target for United, but interest this summer is being fueled by his contract status at Real Madrid.
The Frenchman has a year left in his current deal and in Spain it looks like he is eager for a new challenge, although sources have told ESPN that he has not informed Madrid that he has already signed the new terms. Decided against consent.
The exit of Sergio Ramos has further complicated the situation and even if Varane leaves, it will leave the Spanish giants to replace their first-choice centre-half pair.
United have been made aware that even a year after becoming a free agent, Madrid still value Varane over £70m. Sources have told ESPN that, as things stand, United have no interest in Ramos.
United are willing to spend this summer to strengthen the team, but according to sources, there are fears at Old Trafford that clubs in Europe are raising their prices for Premier League sides as they are only among the few who make it. Can afford to pay transfer fees following the devastating financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
If United do not land Trippier and Varane, Norwich full-back Max Aaron and Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres are among other options.