Manchester United sign Raphaël Varane in second Premier League statement of intent

Just as news was breaking of Chelsea’s interest in Jules Koundé and supposed negotiations with Sevilla for his transfer, Manchester United were announcing their second major signing of the summer. France and Real Madrid stalwart center back Raphaël Varane will be joining the Red Devils, pending a medical, signatures, and a mandatory self-isolation period due to COVID-19 protocols.

The transfer fee is reportedly around €50m (inclusive of add-ons), which is a fair deal for all involved since the 28-year-old was in the final year of his contract at Real.

Manchester United were already having the best summer among the big-six, and that’s now doubly the case, with none of the others making even one big signing thus far, let alone two. (Liverpool: Ibrahima Konaté; Arsenal: Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares; Tottenham: Pierluigi Gollini, Bryan Gil; Manchester City: Scott Carson; Chelsea: nobody).

Chelsea were said to have a serious interest in Varane at one point, but we may have baulked at his wage demands even if that interest were true. And we have turned our attentions completely to (the younger, faster, better) Koundé anyway now.