Manchester United handed Raphael Varane transfer blow

Manchester United are expected to sign a new centre-back in the upcoming summer transfer window and it is not really hard to see why.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first choice pairing in the heart of defence throughout the course of the campaign. And while they have done well on most occasions, there is a feeling that it is a position that can be improved upon further.

One man that they have been linked with consistently in recent months is Raphael Varane. The Real Madrid star has been one of the best defenders in Europe for years. His contract with the La Liga giants is set to run out in the summer of 2022 though and as a result, they might let him leave this summer if they cannot agree a new deal with him.

Manchester United have been touted as a possible destination for the French World Cup winner but it looks like they have some serious competition for his signature.

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Manchester United handed Varane transfer blow

As reported by Mundo Deportivo (via Express), Chelsea are now ahead of the Red Devils in the race to sign the Real Madrid superstar.

Naturally, this will be a huge blow for Solskjaer’s side, who have already suffered a few blows in their chase for a centre-back.

Dayot Upamecano was believed to be a target of the club but since then, it has emerged that he is set to join Bayern Munich at the end of this season. His teammate, Ibrahima Konate, appears to be closing in on agreeing a deal with Liverpool.

The Red Devils have been linked with a number of other defenders as well though. The likes of Jules Kounde, Pau Torres, Nikola Milenkovic, Sergio Ramos, Kalidou Koulibaly and many others have been linked with a switch to Old Trafford at one point or another over the past few months.