Man United given permission to make approach for Raphael Varane

Time to get those shopping lists checked off. Pre-season friendlies start in less than a fortnight.

Right. That's that then. The Euros are done. Time, then, to indulge in a solid few weeks of transfer rumour and speculation. How about Raphael Varane to Manchester United? Varane could soon follow Jadon Sancho through the 'IN' door at Old Trafford. Manchester United - as Manchester United always seem to do - are expected to feature prominently in the gossip columns in the weeks to come. Jadon Sancho is as good as done and it now appears a move for Varane is also inching closer to completion. It was reported a few weeks back that the French international was United's top priority as they looked to strengthen their backline. The Manchester Evening News now claim United are close to striking a deal over personal terms for the Real Madrid defender, who is keen to leave Spain for a new challenge. According to the MEN's sources, United are so far down the line they hope to complete a deal for the 28-year-old 'within weeks'. Varane is currently on holiday after he and his French teammates were eliminated from Euro 2020 by Switzerland two weeks ago. His preference, the report adds, would be to go straight to Manchester to prepare for the new season instead of returning to Madrid. While personal terms appear close to completion, a stumbling block still appears to be United's reluctance to pay what they deem over the going rate for a player who has entered the final year of his contract. It was reported last week that Florentino Perez could still look to secure a fee of around £50m before agreeing to sanction his departure. United do, however, appear in a positive position. Assuming Varane is serious about leaving the Bernabeu after a decade, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to have a clean run at him. Paris Saint-Germain, who were also credited with interest at one stage, have since completed a deal for his former Madrid defensive partner, Sergio Ramos. The likelihood of PSG returning for Varane appears remote.

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