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Manchester United have reportedly reached a ‘total agreement’ with Real Madrid for the signing of Raphael Varane. The France international has long been on the club’s radar. However, his potential arrival won’t be good news for everybody…
Manchester United first tried to sign Varane back in 2011, when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge.
However, they missed out on that occasion with Zinedine Zidane luring the player to Real Madrid instead.
Now, though, United are confident of getting a deal for the France international over the line. And El Chiringuito have claimed the centre-back is subject to a ‘total agreement’ between the two clubs.
Solskjaer wants Varane to partner Harry Maguire at the back.
However, Express Sport will now take a look at four players who can be forgiven for fearing the arrival of the 2018 World Cup winner.
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Man Utd duo Bailly and Lindelof will struggle for action if Varane joins (Image: GETTY)
Phil Jones
Nobody is expecting Phil Jones to play that many matches for United next season.
But ‘not many’ could turn to none at all if Varane signs, especially given the other options the Red Devils have.
Jones didn’t play at all for the Red Devils last season due to injury.
And the club want to get him off the wage bill, particularly given his £100,000-a-week salary he currently earns.
Suitors are currently dry but Jones is the club’s forgotten man and the arrival of Varane would likely see that remain the same.
Man Utd could jettison Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe is Raphael Varane joins (Image: GETTY)
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United’s Varane endorsement
Speaking recently to Ladbrokes, former United star Nicky Butt endorsed his old side’s interest in Varane.
“For me, next season has to be about getting some silverware back in that trophy cabinet for Manchester United,” Butt said.
“It’s about getting the right players who will allow you to challenge for trophies.
“It’s a winning club, so we can’t go this long without silverware.
“The biggest thing that needs addressing for me at Manchester United this summer is that centre-back position; we need a partner for Harry Maguire.
“It has to be someone that’s going to be compatible with Maguire.
“If you spend the kind of money you did on Harry Maguire, you then have to follow it up by bringing someone in who can play with him.
“He’s the club captain; Victor Lindelof is too similar to him. It needs to be someone with pure, blistering pace, someone who can play out from the back.
“Everyone talks about Raphael Varane. I understand he’s a little bit older than most people would perhaps like, but you just have to go back to the days of Teddy Sheringham.
“I think we bought him when he was 32, and we went and won the treble with him. If Varane is available, then I’d go all out for him.”