French World Cup winner Varane is set to be the second major signing arriving at Manchester United this summer after Jadon Sancho.
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Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed his delight at the prospect of World Cup winner Raphael Varane playing for Manchester United in the coming season. Manchester United announced on Tuesday that the club has agreed a fee with Real Madrid for the 28-year-old defender. A club statement read, “Manchester United is delighted to announce the club has reached agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of French international defender and World Cup winner, Varane, subject to a medical and to player terms being finalised.”
There is hardly a trophy that the French centre-back has not won. After moving from French club Lens to Real Madrid in 2011, he has made 360 appearances across all competitions, winning 18 major honours, which includes four Champions League titles. “Of course, I’m very happy that we’ve managed to get the deal with Real Madrid,” Solskjaer said after the 2-2 friendly draw with Brentford.
“He’s a proven winner and a player we’ve followed for many, many years. I know Sir Alex was very, very close to signing him and this time around we’ve got him at the other end of his career. He’s proved over his whole career what a good person he is, first of all. [He’s a] professional and he’s won all there is to win.”
With the club completing a big-money move for Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund recently, Raphael Varane’s imminent arrival will only get the fans excited. “I’m very happy getting both our players in,” he said. “First of all, the club has shown ambition with getting one of the most exciting young forwards in world football [Jadon Sancho], and one of the most respected centre-backs and one of the most winning centre-backs in the world.
“With him in, we’ve got different ways of playing of course, and I can see different ways of playing with Raphael. I can’t wait to get him in and hopefully we can get that sorted as soon as.”
A few final details, including the completion of a medical, have to be done before Raphael Varane’s deal is finalised. Solskjaer went on to explain what remains to be done in terms of the transfer. “From what I know, the club is working on the quickest possible solution to get everything sorted,” he explained.
“I don’t know the timescale on it yet. Of course, there is a visa coming into England, with Brexit and quarantining. Everything has to be done as quick as possible, but by the book.”
At Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos, who has now joined Paris Saint-Germain, used to play as a left-sided centre-back, meaning Raphael Varane occupied the right side. At United, Harry Maguire normally plays on the left side, which will allow Varane to seamlessly slot into the right side of the defence.
During his time at Santiago Bernabeu, Ramos was the more aggressive player of the two. The Spanish defender likes to step out of his position to close down the opponents and win back the ball. When Ramos steps out of his position, Varane provides cover for his centre-back partner. Hence, the Frenchman used to be the deepest player in the backline.
Maguire has the tendency to join the attacking play when Manchester United are in ball possession. If United are caught in the counter, Raphael Varane could do a similar role, providing cover for his new skipper.
