Manchester United looking to take advantage of Real Madrid fire sale
By Cay North
Real Madrid are starting a rebuilding project, and Manchester United see it as a chance to secure the services of Raphael Varane.
It’s not usual for a club that just won the Champions League to start moving on from a number of
players and rebuilding, but that’s the spot that Real Madrid are in. Despite being a club that views anything but a title as a disappointment, they’re only fourth in La Liga and eight points behind leaders Barcelona.
Their struggles this season are likely a contributing factor in their decision to potentially allow four players to leave. According to Don Balon, the club could part with Raphael Varane along with Karim Benzema, Keylor Navas, and Achraf Hakimi.
This isn’t the first time that those players have appeared in transfer rumors, but the results of this season make the rumors look more viable this time.
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Varane in particular is a player that will draw interest from the transfer market. At 24, he’s one of Europe’s most promising defenders, and still has room to improve over time. He was initially brought to Madrid in 2011 by Jose Mourinho, who now wants to bring Varane to Manchester United for a large fee.
According to the Don Balon, the defender could leave for a fee of £50,000,000, which is in line with typical transfer prices for top players with future potential. Manchester United fans shouldn’t be alarmed by the fee, however.
Varane has already proved himself for club and country, making 206 appearances for Real Madrid and 40 for France. He doesn’t just have appearances against smaller sides, either. When Real Madrid won the Champions League earlier this year, he was in the starting eleven.
Manchester United is having a hard time keeping up with their crosstown rivals in the transfer market arms race, and the addition of Varane would be a big step in being competitive with City. Additionally, Varane is a player that Jose Mourinho already has experience with, which reduces the risk of the transfer not working out.
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If United decides to pull the trigger and do a deal, they’ll find it easier than in past years. Their previous attempts to sign Varane were turned down, but these are desperate times for Madrid, and they’re finally willing to let go of some players that they previously planned to hold on to.