Manchester United have revealed that Raphael Varane's £42 million transfer from Real Madrid is almost complete, with the Frenchman likely to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's third summer signing.
The World Cup-winning centre back, who is 28 years old, has long been a United target. Varane's contract at Real Madrid was slated to expire next summer, thus United was able to get him for a fraction of what his market value would have been a year ago.
The Red Devils and Real Madrid agreed on a £42 million cost on Monday, with £34 million up front and £8 million in add-ons, with both club and player having already agreed on personal terms, and an announcement was made on Tuesday.
Manchester United is thrilled to announce that the club has reached agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of French international defender and World Cup winner Raphael Varane, subject to a medical and player terms being finalized,' the club announced in a short statement.
'Our club thanks you for your professionalism and exemplary behavior during the ten seasons in which you have defended our shirt, during which you have won 18 titles: four Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, three Leagues, one Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups,' Real Madrid said.
Real Madrid extends its heartfelt condolences to Raphael Varane and his family and wishes him well in this new chapter of his career.'
Marcus Rashford, a United forward, was quick to express his delight on Twitter, writing: 'Can we please stop flooding my posts now, oui oui'.
Varane returned to Madrid's training camp this week for pre-season medical checks, but travel arrangements were made quickly as the transfer process progressed. His departure brings an end to a 10-year tenure in Madrid, during which he won LaLiga three times and the Champions League four times.
United have taken advantage of Real Madrid's need to raise funds this summer in order to prepare for a Kylian Mbappe bid next year, and Solskjaer now has the defensive partner for Harry Maguire he's been looking for as he continues the transformation of the squad he inherited from Jose Mourinho in 2018.
The acquisition of the Frenchman adds to what is turning become a highly lucrative transfer window for Solskjaer, who has already reinforced his offensive options by signing Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million. Tom Heaton, the goalkeeper, has also joined on a free transfer.
One of United's long-standing weaknesses has been the lack of a center defender to play with England captain Maguire, with Victor Lindelof struggling to match his £80 million captain's qualities.
Sancho and Varane's additions signal that United is ready to close the gap on Premier League champions Manchester City, who won by a massive 12 points last season.
Last season, United placed second in England's top flight and came second in the Europa League against Villarreal, who defeated United in a long-running penalty shootout in the Gdansk final.
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