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Transfer update: Man Utd 'agree personal terms' with Varane
Manchester United transfer target Raphael Varane is not as good as Manchester City star John Stones, according to former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara. Varane is reportedly closing in on a move to United, with a fee just needing to be sorted with Real Madrid. The Frenchman is out of contract at the Bernabeu at the end of the upcoming season.
Man Utd transfer news: Raphael Varane is not as good as John Stones, says Jamie O'Hara (Image: GETTY)
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The pundit instead claims Stones is the better defender, following the 27-year-old's upturn in form for both club and country.
O'Hara reckons Stones is a similar style of centre-back to that of former United and England star Rio Ferdinand.
“I love John Stones, I’ve always liked him. He’s a brilliant football player,” O'Hara said on talkSPORT.
“He’s the closest thing we’ve had to Rio Ferdinand, who along with John Terry, was the best centre-half in the Premier League.
“I love watching John Stones, I enjoy watching the way he plays. He’s calm, he’s composed but also a brilliant defender.
“Last season you had Ruben Dias alongside him which turned him into an even better defender because he had someone with him.
“I think with Varane he’s going to have that with [Harry] Maguire but in my opinion I’d rather have John Stones in my team.
“I think with Varane he’s going to have that with Maguire but in my opinion I’d rather have John Stones in my team.
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Man Utd transfer news: Raphael Varane is set to follow Jadon Sancho to Old Trafford (Image: EXPRESS)
“If Varane’s that good, why is he leaving Real Madrid at 28 years old? Why not give him a new deal?
"If they thought he was that brilliant they wouldn’t be letting him leave. Manchester City aren’t letting John Stones leave…”
Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes the signing of Varane will help United's title chances next season.
“Well certainly Varane is a top quality player, I was really impressed with him during the Euros, he’s an excellent defender, so that will be a great signing for Manchester United,” Parlour told talkSPORT.
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“I think that Maguire and [John] Stones were a very good partnership during the Euros and I can imagine Maguire and Varane will be a decent partnership.
“If you’ve got a good defence you’ve always got a chance, and with the attacking players they’ve got, and with Sancho coming in, it will give them a much better chance of getting closer and challenging for that title.”