Transfer insider Dean Jones has provided an update on Manchester United and their pursuit of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
Despite having the fifth-best defence in the division last season when it came to goals conceded, it has been noted that one of the areas that Manchester United need to improve on if they are to challenge for top honours moving forward is their defence – an issue that the club are seemingly well aware of, given the amount that they have been linked with this summer.
One such man on their list is the French World Cup-winning defender, and speaking about the matter on Touchline Talk, Jones claimed that there was an ever-growing sense of optimism about the deal and that moves to complete it could be happening very quickly:
“I think it’s really exciting for United, and his availability really came as a huge surprise. He’s not somebody that was necessarily on their radar until he was put to them as a potential option.
“The optimism’s been growing over this deal for two weeks now. They became convinced two weeks ago that he was serious about wanting to join them. Until then, they’ve been treading very carefully, and just basically expected him to sign a new contract at Real Madrid.
“He didn’t do that, so as soon as they knew they weren’t a bargaining tool, they began to step things up. A formal bid will be coming soon, and at that point, I think it’s just a case really of when not if, because a player like Varane just does not become available this easily.”
TIF Thoughts on Dean Jones’ comments about Raphael Varane…
Will Varane be a good partner for Maguire?
Yes
No
Whilst United’s defensive record was relatively impressive, Varane, with his winning mentality following his years in Madrid, could just be that one player that tips them over the edge when it comes to being contenders rather than just pretenders – similar to how impactful Virgil van Dijk’s arrival was for Liverpool.
So hopefully, Manchester United can get the deal done and can become challengers and winners once again, mainly for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sake, so that he can ease some of the pressure that might start piling on him if he goes another season without winning a trophy at Old Trafford.
In other news: ‘He’s got an opportunity’ – Ole tipped to unleash fringe player at Man United