Manchester United are keen on adding Real Madrid central defender Raphael Varane to their squad. The Frenchman has been at the Spanish club for a decade and has won numerous trophies.
Manchester Evening News and other reports have suggested that the Red Devils have made a bid of £50 million for Varane, but Madrid want £90 million for the 28-year-old.
Several clubs are keen on signing the French defender next season, when his contract with Real Madrid expires. Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, though, wants a fee for Varane, so he could be sold over this summer.
Varane has won three league and four Champions League titles with Real Madrid, while also winning the World Cup with France.
How will Manchester United line up with Raphael Varane?
The addition of Varane to the Manchester United lineup could make Manchester United a formidable side. The Red Devils have a quality defender in Harry Maguire, but his lack of pace has been problematic at times.
Varane could compensate with the lack of pace that Maguire has, while also adding more leadership and experience to the Manchester United backline. The Frenchman is keen on testing his skills in the Premier League, having won everything in club football during his spell at Real Madrid.
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If he joins Manchester United, Varane should replace Victor Lindelof at the back and play alongside Harry Maguire. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw will likely keep their places at right-back and left-back respectively. Lindelof and Eric Bailly could be backup options in the centre-back positions for Manchester United.
The addition of a formidable defender like Varane could make manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer change his system and play just one defensive midfielder. Scott McTominay or Fred could fulfil that role and either Paul Pogba or Donny van de Beek could play alongside the defensive midfielder. Bruno Fernandes will retain his No. 10 role in the Manchester United lineup.
Marcus Rashford could play out wide on the left, while Edison Cavani should start upfront. Mason Greenwood will be a backup option and used in rotation. The other big signing that Manchester United are expected to make is Jadon Sancho.
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The young English winger has been exceptional for Borussia Dortmund from the right side of attack and he will likely lineup in that position for United as well. Greenwood could be another option for Solskjaer on the right.
The signing of a player of the quality of Raphael Varane could help United bridge the gap with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and make them title contenders.
How Manchester United could line up with Raphael Varane
