Solskjaer's men 'closing in on Real Madrid defender Varane'

Manchester United are reportedly hoping to wrap up a deal for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane to complement their swoop of Jadon Sancho.

The Red Devils are eyeing a handful of top signings to overhaul their squad this summer after finishing the last campaign trophyless, and as reported by Sportsmail, the club have agreed a deal to sign Dortmund star Sancho for £73m - with the English winger set to complete the move after Euro 2020.

Sancho was the top target of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and the club are also close to finalising a deal for another player at the top of his wishlist in Varane, according to ESPN - who claim United have received encouragement over a transfer.

Defence has been an area United are hoping to bolster, with Solskjaer seeking a reliable partner to captain Harry Maguire at centre-back, and Varane would come as a glamorous arrival having won four Champions League titles and the World Cup with France.

United believe Madrid are now ready to negotiate a deal for Varane, whose deal expires next summer, and are confident he could be available for around £43m, the report adds.

Los Blancos had initially valued him at around £60m, a price that had put United off, but with the club struggling financially amid the Covid pandemic, they are willing to lower their asking price in order to help new boss Carlo Ancelotti rebuild, it claims.

Easing the burden of Varane's possible departure is the arrival of defender David Alaba on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.

The Austrian spent 12 years with the Bavarian side and his top-level experience will be comforting should the club end up selling the 28-year-old.

Stalwart Sergio Ramos has also left the club this summer, leaving Eder Militao and Nacho are the other senior centre-backs alongside Alaba.

Varane is said to have rejected Madrid's offer of a new deal last week, with the player is reportedly unhappy that Real chose to negotiate with Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez and Ramos ahead of him.

Paris Saint-Germain are also interested but the defender is said to favour a move to England.

Varane has won three LaLiga titles, four Champions League trophies and four FIFA Club World Cups with the Spanish giants.

The defender made 41 appearances in all competitions last season as Real finished second in LaLiga and were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-final.