Manchester United Legend Convinced Raphael Varane To Join The Club

Raphael Varane rejected the chance to join Chelsea or PSG, after both clubs tried to hijack Manchester United's move, because of one United legend.

Varane is set to join United at the beginning of next week, after the club and Real Madrid both confirmed they had agreed a fee for the centre back.

Real decided to cash in this summer, due to the defender being out of contract in a year's time and rejecting the offer of a new deal, and, according to ESPN, the Spanish giants tried to get a bidding war going.

The report says that Los Blancos tried bringing both United's Premier League rivals Chelsea and Ligue 1 giants PSG to the table to make bids.

However, Varane was only ever interested in talking to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side after talking to the club about the move. The 28-year-old is said to have been 'particularly swayed' by talking to Darren Fletcher.

Fletcher still works alongside Solskjaer even with his new role. Image: PA Images

Former United midfielder Fletcher, who won five league titles at Old Trafford, returned to the club as an under 16s coach back in October last year.

However he quickly rose in the club's structure and joined Solskjaer, and former teammate Michael Carrick, in coaching the first team in January.

Just two months later he was appointed technical director at the club, whilst John Murtough was made football director.

Whilst Ed Woodward is said to have negotiated with Real, in what could be his last big transfer before leaving United later this year, whilst Fletcher and Murtough discussed things with the player.

Varane is said to have rejected any thoughts of moving to Chelsea or PSG. Image: PA Images

Whilst Chelsea have missed out on Varane to United, the Blues now have a different centre back as one of their main targets for the summer.

The Blues are said to be in talks with Sevilla for the World Cup winner's France teammate Jules Kounde, who United were also linked with previously.

Thomas Tuchel is reportedly offering Kurt Zouma as part of the deal but the defender would prefer a move to West Ham instead.

Had PSG made a move for Varane, they would have been trying to link him back up with former Real teammate Sergio Ramos, who moved to the Parc des Princes earlier this summer.

Topics: Chelsea, Football, Manchester United, PSG, Premier League, Raphael Varane, Real Madrid

Ryan Sidle

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