Going after Raphael Varane in the summer is a no-brainer for Manchester United

The Red Devils have identified Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane as one of their main priorities in the summer transfer window.

Man United is interested in signing a new central defender by the season’s end, after failing to acquire one last summer. They currently have Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof securing their back line, but they desperately need a world-class defender to take charge of their defense.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side has previously been linked to Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, but would prefer to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid if the possibility is there. Both defenders would make United automatically better, but Varane is ultimately the target they want. But with things going downhill at Real Madrid lately, there is also the chance they won’t let any of their star players leave in the next transfer window. There is still a lot of time until the summer though, so only time will tell.

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According to the Manchester Evening News, a notable person within United said back in August they would be willing to spend up to 100 million euros on the ideal centre-back. 

Even though Solskjaer has recently told Eric Bailly he is in the first team’s plans for the future, if they have the opportunity to sign a top-notch defender like Raphael Varane, it would be a no-brainer for United.

Varane would be a huge signing for Red Devils

The Frenchman is a physical specimen at 6 foot 3. at just 25 years old, Varane is right in midst of his prime years of football. He has great athleticism and presence at centre-back who is very good in the air. For a defender, Varane is very good tactically and is very strong on the ball. He also has great speed, rarely getting beat by attackers.

He was brilliant in the World Cup for France, holding down their back line all tournament long. He has two attributes that are hard to find in a defender. Speed and physical presence. His strength and size have helped Varane be widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world.

Before Solskjaer took over United, they immensely struggled to stop their opponents from scoring. We could put that down to Jose Mourinho’s negativity which definitely affected the whole team, but nonetheless, their back line conceded 31 goals in 17 Premier League games before Mourinho was sacked on December 18th.

They have been a lot better since Solskjaer took over at Old Trafford, but they still need that solid rock on their back line. Raphael Varane is a proven centre-back  who has succeeded at the club and international level.

If he is available in the summer, United must make the move for him even if it costs close to 100 million euros.

Kalidou Koulibaly would be a respectable addition

United has been keen on Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly for quite some time now, but they couldn’t put together a move for him before the January transfer window closed. But if they can’t get Varane, Koulibaly would also be a solid addition to their back line come summer time. He carries a lot of the same attributes as Varane. Strong on the ball, physical, and very quick on his feet.

Varane is the dream signing

Eric Bailly, Marcus Rojo, and Chris Smalling have all failed to prove their worth alongside Victor Lindelof on United’s back line over the last year. They need a solid centre-back to pair with the Swede.

If Solskjaer can sign either Koulibaly or Varane in the summer, it would be a win for the Red Devils.

But the best case scenario would be to bring Raphael Varane to Old Trafford, even if it does cost a lot. It will be worth paying the big money to acquire the Frenchman who would immediately make their defense better.