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Manchester United Finally ‘Closing in on £68m Double Defensive Swoop’; Announcements Expected Next Week

Raphael Varane, Kieran Trippier double swoop, United, alternatives

Manchester United look set on bolstering their defence this summer as they are closing in on an impressive double swoop for two LaLiga defenders, Raphael Varane and Kieran Trippier. Reports suggest that both players and their teams have agreed on all terms, with final talks to conclude soon and announcements expected by the end of next week.

The two defenders will cost around £68 million in total, Varane costing £50 million and Trippier making up the remaining £18 million. Ole has highlighted his team’s defensive weaknesses and the need to strengthen it on several occasions. Besides securing Jadon Sancho, signing new defensive players has always been a priority for Ole this summer transfer. After long weeks of transfer talks, Ole now looks on the verge of securing the two star-defenders.

Varane has played for a decade at Real Madrid and now has only a year remaining in his contract. Like his partner Sergio Ramos, the Frenchman is looking for new challenges away from the Santiago Bernabeu this season. Similarly, Kieran Trippier, who has played for two seasons at the Wada Metropolitano is eyeing a move back to England. Trippier has regularly featured for Diego Simeonè’s side and even helped the Los Rojiblancos secure a League trophy last season.

Reports from the Sun, suggest that a double defensive swoop for the two defenders is close to completion and would cost £68 million in total. This would take up United’s summer transfer spending including Sancho’s £73 million, to more than £140million in total. The report also stated that Varane’s representatives are ‘understood to have negotiated terms over a five-year deal’.

United have had a long pursuit for Varane with Madrid initially pricing Varane upwards of £60 million. However, with only a year remaining and club debts rising, the Los Blancos fear losing Varane for a free sum next transfer window and have agreed on a £50 million deal. According to the Express, personal terms between United and Varane have been ‘all but agreed’ and the Red Devils are ‘hopeful’ of completing a move by the end of next week.

We 'signed' Raphael Varane and Kieran Trippier to get Maguire and  Wan-Bissaka comparison - Manchester Evening News
Image obtained via MEN

 

The Daily Mail also reported on the same issue, suggesting that Manchester United are close to finalizing a double swoop for the two defenders to bolster their defence and that both players are keen on a move to Old Trafford. The report stated that Trippier is pushing for a move back to the Premier League. The 30-year-old defender is looking forward to playing at Old Trafford under Solskjaer.

Trippier’s transfer move to Old Trafford has had conflicting developments. Initial reports suggested a transfer looked inevitable and that he was already looking for homes in Manchester. However, reports that transfer talks were broken down soon surfaced after this. The Los Rojiblancos were adamant on their £30 million valuation for the player and rejected several bids from United. However, it now seems that the move stands to happen at £18 million.

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Personal Viewpoint on United’s Double Defensive Swoop : 

Varane’s arrival would see him partnering up with United captain, Harry Maguire at the back. The World cup winning defender would bring a lot of title-winning experience to the team after having played on the highest level at Madrid for a decade. Varane has great ability on the ball and he would be an asset to Ole’s team to say the least. Besides his defending skills, he can set up plays from the back giving more options on the attack as well.

Trippier’s arrival could mean less game time for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, as Trippier does not intend on playing second fiddle. Moreover, Wan-Bissaka has had a sketchy season, mostly due to doubts over his ball distribution skills and his inability to defend from crosses. However, Ole is open to new tactical formations and he could place Wan-Bissaka in a three-man back-line. In addition, Trippier’s ability to play both right-back and left-back as well as a wing-back gives versatility.

Varane and Trippier addition to the team would bring a much-needed fresh outlook on Ole’s tactical formations at the back. The team could go with four at the back with Varane and Maguire in centre and Shaw and Trippier on the flanks, or with three in the back line with Wan-Bissaka, along with the two wing-backs on the flanks.

This deal or rather the multiple deals for Varane and Trippier together have the potential to alter United’s backline from being perceived as its biggest weakness to making it the strength of this United squad on the basis of which United can mount their much needed title challenge next season.

Follow AD for all the latest thoughts and articles on Manchester United as always.

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