Manchester United ‘closing in Raphael Varane and Kieran Trippier double swoop’ to bolster defence…which would take their summer spending to OVER £140m with Jadon Sancho also arriving from Borussia Dortmund
- Manchester United expected to pay a combined £68million for the duo
- Raphael Varane to command £50m fee as he enters last year of Real Madrid deal
- Kieran Trippier keen on Manchester United move in a deal worth £18million
- Varane is expected to form centre-back partnership with Harry Maguire
- Trippier’s arrival could see Aaron Wan-Bissaka moved into a central back three
Manchester United are reportedly close to finalising a sensational double swoop to strengthen their defence with the signings of Raphael Varane and Kieran Trippier.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified his back four as the weakest area of his squad but may have finally found his ideal defensive partner for Harry Maguire in the Real Madrid centre-back, Varane.
England’s Euro 2020 hero Trippier is also expected to join from Atletico Madrid, which according to the Sun will cost the Red Devils around £68million for the duo.
Raphael Varane (left) and Kieran Trippier are reportedly set for Manchester United moves
The £68million move for the pair would see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bolster his United defence
Varane is expected to make up £50million of the cost as he enters the last year of his contract at Real, who will be keen not to lose him on a free transfer following the exit of his centre-back partner Sergio Ramos this summer.
Ramos had been a stalwart of the Madrid side since 2005 but was allowed to leave on a free transfer to join Paris Saint-Germain following the expiry of his contract.
The Express claim United’s personal terms with Varane are ‘all but agreed’, leaving United ‘hopeful’ that they can complete a move for the 28-year-old by the end of next week.
Varane would slot into centre-back to partner England international Harry Maguire
Should the deals go through it would take United’s summer spending to over £140million pending the expected £73million arrival of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund
It will be a move long in the waiting at Old Trafford with Sir Alex Ferguson having tried to sign the France star 10 years ago, before Madrid pipped him to his signature, while they also made a bid in 2018.
Trippier is also keen to move to Old Trafford following two successful years at the Wanda Metropolitano where this summer he won LaLiga title with Atletico.
The former Tottenham right-back is keen to move back to the Premier League though and he gives Solskjaer many options given the 30-year-old’s ability to play left-back too as well as wing-back.
Trippier’s arrival would raise doubts over the future of Aaron Wan-Bissaka whose ball distribution and defending from crosses has marked him as a potential weak link at right-back.
Trippier would join United having just won LaLiga title with Atletico Madrid
However, Solskjaer is keen to explore the possibility of moving Wan-Bissaka into a back-three and more central role.
Should both moves go through it would take United’s summer spending to well over £140million pending the expected arrival of Jadon Sancho as they look to build on their runners-up finish last term to Manchester City, and launch a title challenge for the upcoming season.
Trippier’s international team-mate is expected to be confirmed a United player in the coming days having agreed a five-year-deal, with the £73m transfer from Borussia Dortmund set to be announced following a medical.
But he could displace Aaron Wan-Bissaka who could be moved centrally into a back three
Meanwhile, Atletico are ready to join the race to sign Jesse Lingard if United decide to let him go this summer according to reports.
The 28-year-old has reported back for pre-season training at Old Trafford amid doubts over his future, following a successful loan spell at West Ham last term.
West Ham are still keen on signing Lingard, with the England star keen to move in the search of regular game time.
