Manchester United are reportedly willing to pay Raphael Varane £10.2m a year in order to prise him away from Real Madrid.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified Varane as an ideal central defensive partner for club captain Harry Maguire.
And the Red Devils are now ready to offer the Frenchman a five-year bumper contract, according to Spanish publication Sport.
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| Image: PA |
Varane’s current deal at Real expires next summer and Los Blancos are only said to be prepared to raise his yearly salary from €5m to €7m.
That offer is said to have frustrated Varane, especially as they have already guaranteed new signing David Alaba €12m-per-year.
Once a final agreement is reached between United and Varane, the Old Trafford outfit will attempt to quickly negotiate a fee with Real and add the 28-year-old France international to their squad.
Real risk losing him for nothing if they do not sell in this transfer window.
Situation clear on Varane side. He’s ready to accept Manchester United contract proposal until 2026 if the agreement between clubs with Real Madrid will be reached in the next days/weeks. 🔴 #MUFC
Varane will be respectful with Real – but he’d love a Premier League experience. https://t.co/ltluFh8KSW
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2021
Solskjaer wants to make Varane his second marquee signing of the summer after a deal was reached with Borussia Dortmund to sign Jadon Sancho.
Varane has established himself as one of the world’s best defenders since joining Real from French side Lens in the summer of 2011.
So signing the star would be a major statement of intent by United as they look to compete for the Premier League title next season.
There’s no way I’m seeing Ben White and Varane comparisons on the timeline 😭😭 I genuinely think Varane doesn’t even know who Ben White is
— RiZzy🔴 (@RiZzyUTD) July 17, 2021
Varane has made more than 350 appearances for Real and been capped 79 times by France, helping them to World Cup glory in 2018.
Meanwhile, the Mirror reports that Madrid have also offered Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr to United.
Vinicius Jr, 21, has been made available for £68m, three years after signing from Flamengo in a £36m deal.
United are interested in the player but would only pursue a loan deal rather than a permanent switch.