After lengthy negotiations, Manchester United have finally made a breakthrough in their pursuit of Real Madrid’s elite defender Raphael Varane.
According to report, United have agreed a final fee of just under €50million for Varane and now the Frenchman will undergo a medical and sign paperwork before officially becoming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s latest summer signing.
The United boss commenced his business in the transfer window with the £72.9m transfer of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and Varane’s arrival would be yet another signal of intent as the Norwegian seeks to end United’s trophy drought next term.
With the number seven occupied by Edinson Cavani, there was much speculation over which number Sancho would wear next season and now the same conversation applies to Varane, who sports different numbers for Real Madrid and France.
Varane is number five at Madrid and four for France, but what will he wear at United? We’ve taken a closer look below.
This would likely be Varane’s preferred number at United considering he wears it for France.
However, Phil Jones currently lays claim to that shirt number, although reports emerged this week claiming the centre-back could leave United for free this summer – the 29-year-old last kicked a ball for United in the FA Cup against Tranmere in January 2020.
It’s possible there could be a change in numbers without Jones leaving, though.
Number #12
This shirt number was last worn by Chris Smalling before his departure to Italian club AS Roma.
It’s currently vacant and would therefore be logistically easy for Varane to obtain.
Also, Varane used to wear number two at Real Madrid before he switched to five, which could tempt him into this shirt and that’s without mentioning that Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville, among others, all had spells with that number once upon a time.
Number #16
The number 16 has been available since defender Marcos Rojo left the club.
The shirt number has been made great by names such as Roy Keane and Michael Carrick, which might prompt Varane to choose it.
Number #24
Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Darren Fletcher and Wes Brown have all used the number 24 shirt at Old Trafford.
It’s not been used since Timothy Fosu-Mensah left the club, though.
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