Manchester United have made a spectacular transfer move for Raphael Varane.
While the Jadon Sancho move had been talked about over and over again for 18 months to the point it felt inevitable at some stage, signing Varane rarely felt possible.
Most of us expected Real Madrid to pull the rug from under our feet and announce a contract extension for Varane, with United getting used again. Or for Varane to end up moving to PSG or another European club.
But no. This time, Manchester United finally got the defensive player the club wanted the most.
This is the type of deal which sends shockwaves around the football world. Varane is a four-times Champions League winner, and they don’t switch teams very often.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker was among the pundits to react to Varane moving clubs.
What makes the deal even more impressive is the fee. United are paying just £34.2 million plus add-ons for the France international.
It takes a special deal to grab the limelight away from United’s move for Sancho, but this move does it.
United have a player who has won a staggering 18 trophies at Real Madrid, plus the World Cup, and who is only 28.
With Harry Maguire already at the club and playing like a world beater at Euro 2020, United now have a seriously dominant defence. No longer will United be a soft touch.
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