Manchester United are close to finalizing a deal for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, sources have told ESPN.
The France international, whose contract at the Bernabeu is due to expire in June 2022, is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's top defensive target and sources have said United are ready to move on after receiving incentives for the 28-year-old that Madrid are up to negotiations. is ready. Realistic fee for the player.
United will complete their first major transfer business this summer after Borussia Dortmund and England forward Jadon Sancho come to the conclusion of the 21-year-old's participation at Euro 2020, but there is a move for a veteran defender to point football director John Murtaugh to the next. will address.
United were considering Villarreal defender Pau Torres as a substitute, but efforts to sign Varane are now underway after France's surprise exit from Euro 2020 in the wake of Tuesday's round of 16 loss against Switzerland. have been accelerated.
Despite Varane's dwindling contract, Madrid initially valued the centre-half at €70m – a price-tag that United considered too high for a player entering the final year of his contract.
But Madrid need to land players to rebuild Carlo Ancelotti's squad, with United confident a deal can be struck for a fee in the region of €50m.
Madrid could use the money raised from Varane's departure to go for Torres, who has a €65m release clause at Europa League winners Villarreal.
The 24-year-old has impressed for Spain at Euro 2020 and with Varane set to oust Sergio Ramos at the Bernabeu - Ramos is leaving as a free agent - Madrid need reinforcements at the back.
Madrid's interest in Torres could be put on hold for 12 months, however, if the Spanish club choose to step in for Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe.
Madrid's financial situation is complicated, and signing "Galactico" would mean Torres would have to wait until 2022.
Sources have told ESPN that the defender remains Madrid's target, "whether for now or next year," and that Torres' priority would be to stay in Spain rather than try out the Premier League.
Villarreal have also found interest in star forward Gerard Moreno, but the club are in a healthy financial position and are not expected to lay off players this summer.