Soccer

Man United eye Raphaël Varane and give Juan Mata new deal

Ole Gunnar Solskjær could bring in Real Madrid defender alongside Jadon Sancho

Raphael Varane of France in action during their Euro 2020 match against Hungary. Photo: Darko Bandic/EPA

Jamie Jackson
Fri Jul 2 2021 - 12:49

Manchester United are monitoring Raphaël Varane with a view to a potential move for the Real Madrid centre-back and have given Juan Mata a new one-year deal.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær wants to strengthen his central defensive options but after agreement was reached to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho for £73m (85m), United will only do deals that reflect the economic climate.

Varane has been at Madrid since June 2011, winning three La Ligas and four Champions Leagues, and was a member of France’s triumphant 2018 World Cup team.

The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract but Madrid may still value him at about £50m (€58m), which United would view as unrealistic as they work to a pandemic-affected financial model.

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Mata’s new terms extend his United career into an eighth year after he joined for a then club record £37.1m (€43m) in January 2014 when David Moyes was the manager.

United have also signed Tom Heaton on a two-year deal, the goalkeeper returning after 11 years. He arrives on a free after leaving Aston Villa. – Guardian

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