Manchester United have made a breakthrough in talks to sign Raphael Varane and are now in the home stretch for the Real Madrid centre-back, claims ESPN.
Varane has entered the final 12 months of his current Madrid contract and has made it clear he doesn't want to renew with the Spanish outfit.
Madrid are now desperate to cash in on the France international rather than lose him for nothing next summer and United have a clear run at his signature.
The Spanish giants are holding out for around €50m (£42.8m) for Varane and while United are trying to bring the price down it's not a problem that is expected to hold up the transfer.
Varane has reported to pre-season training for Madrid this week but plans are reportedly already in place for his move to Manchester.
The 28-year-old is understood to have even studied United's defending last season with his switch expected to be finalised before the end of the week.
👥 Of the 191 players to contest 50 or more aerial duels, Raphael Varane had the best aerial success rate (76%) in La Liga last season pic.twitter.com/5MEck2a9Q1
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 18, 2021
Varane has spent the last decade at Madrid after deciding to join Los Blancos over United in 2011 but now wants to experience the Premier League.
Of the 191 players to contest 50 or more aerial duels, Raphael Varane had the best success rate (76%) in La Liga last season.