It is arguable that defence has been the biggest weakness in this Manchester United team through the course of this season and they will probably dip into the transfer market in the summer to fix it.
As a result, a number of centre-backs have been linked with the club over the past few months including Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, whose contract is set to run out at the end of the season. And while he would certainly be a brilliant signing, it is his defensive Raphael Varane who ultimately ends up arriving at Old Trafford.
The French World Cup winner has been with the Spanish giants since 2011 but might be looking for a different challenge now. His contract is set to run out in the summer of 2022 and according to the Mirror, Real Madrid could be open to the idea of letting him leave in the summer instead of risking losing him for free a year later.
This could open up the door for Manchester United to swoop in and get one of the best defenders on the planet.
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Signing Raphael Varane would be a statement of intent from Manchester United
The Red Devils have been linked with Varane going as far back as the time when Sir Alex Ferguson was the manager of the club. And the rumours have never quite gone away completely.
Now, they might have the best chance that they’ve ever had to get a deal over the line. Signing someone of his calibre would be a clear statement of intent regarding their Premier League and potential Champions League aspirations. But it won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination.
Even if Real Madrid do decide to let Varane go, there won’t be a lack of suitors as most elite clubs would be interested in the Frenchman. Thus, the Red Devils will have to do very well to convince him to come to Old Trafford.
There is also the small matter of him being rated at around £70 million although with a little over a year left on his contract, there might be room of negotiation in that regard.