Manchester United set to submit first formal offer for Varane

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane could be living his last few days as a madridista as Manchester United are ready to send Madrid their first formal offer for the center-back, sources close to the negotiations told Managing Madrid. United are set to offer €45 million plus €5 million in bonus but Madrid are expected to reject and ask for €60 million to let Varane go, according to those same sources.

Varane’s current deal with Real Madrid expires in 2022 and he has rejected the club’s offers to extend his contract. Madrid had been offering around €7.5 million/year with Varane wanting at least €12 million. The French center-back is also keen on trying a new challenge and Real Madrid simply don’t want to meet Varane’s request, which means that they would be forced to sell the defender this summer if they don’t want to lose him as a free agent next year.

Manchester United have leverage in these negotiations but Real Madrid will be expected to reject their first €45 + 5 million offer, so it will be up to the British side to improve their bid. In the end, a €55 million compromise could be reached given the circumstances, per sources.

Varane is set to join Real Madrid’s squad in training this week and would like to solve his future soon, but the two clubs will be the ones having to reach an agreement. Either way, reports from the Spanish and British press published last week suggested that he was given permission to talk to United, with a five-year deal being agreed.

As things stand right now, Varane’s signing for United seems very likely. Still, coach Carlo Ancelotti could try to convince him of staying in Madrid, something that will not happen if Los Blancos don’t improve their offer very significantly.