Home » Manchester United identify Raphael Varane as ‘dream’ summer signing – report

Manchester United identify Raphael Varane as ‘dream’ summer signing – report

by Leo Nieboer

Manchester United view Real Madrid and France defender Raphael Varane as their ‘dream’ signing ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports.

Both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho made unsuccessful attempts to sign the 25-year-old during their time as Man United manager.

Interest in signing a central defender has been well documented, with United targeting Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld to no avail in the summer.

According to the Evening Standard‘s James Robson, Varane remains the club’s ‘dream’ target going into the next transfer window. Ed Woodward, according to the report, was willing to spend £100m on the Frenchman over the summer should Real Madrid be open to selling. They weren’t.

That willingness is still there. Woodward sees Varane as the perfect candidate to play next to Victor Lindelof: a Champions League and World Cup winner, seasoned by Real’s insatiable mentality since 2011, marvelously accomplished with the ball, tough and smart when dealing with attackers.

However, the chances of Real doing business over the summer are slim, leaving United with the more realistic target of Napoli’s Kailidou Koulibaly.

Senior figures at Napoli have indicated they would negotiate with interested parties for the Senegalese international, also valued at around £100m. Woodward may be reluctant to shell out that much for a 28-year-old who, in truth, has only started to impress people beyond Italy for a year or so.

 

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