Manchester United are at a "very advanced" stage in their talks to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane according to reports in Spain.
The Premier League giants have been strongly linked with the French World Cup winner for some time but now multiple sources are suggesting the 27-year-old is discussing terms at Man United - and that Zinedine Zidane has even given his blessing for the move.
Varane's contract is up in 2022 and there seems to be no chance of him signing a new deal. So for Real Madrid, it's a case of sell the player - for an estimated £60 million - to United this summer or lose him for nothing next year.
Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had Varane as his top transfer target for some time, as he seeks a central defensive partner for captain Harry Maguire. Now, according to El Chiringuito TV, the talks between all parties are almost concluded.
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Varane missed Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final tie with Liverpool after testing positive for Covid-19.
However he's widely viewed as one of the world's best central defenders; a four-time Champions League winner with Los Blancos and a regular in the France national team. So the United are understandably keen to seal the deal quickly.
Zidane originally wanted to keep his fellow countryman at the club, but faced with the prospect of earning a decent transfer fee or letting the player leave for free next summer, the Real Madrid boss has reportedly accepted that the departure is happening.
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That places Real in a tricky position of potentially losing their two first-choice centre-backs as captain and club legend Sergio Ramos is yet to sign a contract than extends beyond this summer.
However Real did get past Liverpool in the Champions League and into the semi-finals, without Ramos or Varane involved in either game as Nacho and Eder Militao stepped up.
So perhaps Real can see a future beyond the central defensive partnership that's served them so successfully.
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As for Manchester United, they look set to sign a proven, world-class defender for a manageable fee.
So this looks like the rare case of a transfer that suits both clubs and the player, set to be agreed before the move is completed in the summer.
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Raphael Varane, Real Madrid