Manchester United are close to wrapping up a second major transfer of the window, with Di Marzio reporting an agreement has been reached for Raphael Varane.
This has left a big question – who will be next to sign at Old Trafford?
One overly optimistic report from Mundo Deportivo claimed at the weekend United could chase Erling Haaland this summer, and would offer Anthony Martial into the mix to make it happen.
Former NFL wide receiver Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, recently pictured hanging out in Miami with Paul Pogba, asked journalist Fabrizio Romano if a deal for the Dortmund striker will be happening.
Try in 2022…
Romano’s response was not surprising. Doing one deal with Borussia Dortmund this summer was hard enough.
Dortmund have no intention of allowing Haaland to leave the club after just 18 months.
Next summer they may not have a choice. Haaland has a release clause in his contract worth a reported £60 million [The Mirror]. It makes sense United will be interested – along with every top club in Europe.
Haaland will probably end up at whichever club give Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola the biggest commission, which could discount United.
But United have two cards to play, the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer one, and the Jadon Sancho ace. In a recent message to Haaland, Sancho even wrote that he would ‘soon’ meet again.
Next summer United will need a striker, with Edinson Cavani’s contract expiring in 2022. That is when the race for Haaland’s future will get interesting.
For now United’s needs are in midfield, once the deal for Varane is officially completed.
When will Varane be unveiled?
Romano had a further update regarding Varane, explaining that he may not be unveiled by United until next week.
This is due to quarantine rules. Romano said the deal is 100 per cent done.
It is good to hear Varane will be flying in shortly. This tallies up with other reports. The quarantine issue is less than ideal with time ticking down until the league season.
Varane is good enough to go straight into the United XI with little preparation time. Whether he is asked to, is another decision. Solskjaer rushed Harry Maguire right into his XI days after joining. Varane is coming to a different country and League, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have have decision to make for the opener.
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