It was much talked about it and it actually happened. Raphael Varane closed the Real Madrid chapter and started a new one in England with Manchester United. The Frenchman decided to start a new adventure because in Madrid he had achieved everything and wanted to try new challenges. The deal between Real Madrid and Manchester United was finalized and made official on July 27.
Real Madrid also made the official announcement as follows: Real Madrid C. F. and Manchester United FC have agreed the transfer of Raphaël Varane. Our club thanks the player for his professionalism and exemplary conduct throughout his ten seasons representing our colours, during which time he has won 18 titles: 4 Champions Leagues, 4 Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 3 LaLiga titles, 1 Copa del Rey and 3 Spanish Super Cups. Real Madrid would like to express their gratitude to Raphaël Varane and his family and wish him the best of luck in this new stage of his career.
Manchester United and Real Madrid completed the transfer of French center-back Raphael Varane, who left the club after 10 great seasons. While the fee at first wasn’t disclosed, reports from England and Spain indicate that United paid around €50 million. Later it was revealed that the real fee had been about £42.7 million.
Varane was set to become a free agent in the summer of 2022 after he had refused to sign an extension with Real Madrid. The defender was keen on trying a new challenge and Madrid weren’t offering the salary he wanted, so Los Blancos ultimately had to sell him if they didn’t want to lose him for free in just 12 months.
Varane won many titles during a medal-laden stay at the Bernabéu and was a key part of the France side that lifted the World Cup in 2018. United had been interested in the defender since 2011 when he was playing at Lens in France. However, Real Madrid insisted more on him, making the transfer possible. After joining, Varane made 360 appearances across all competitions in Spain. He leaves the club as one of the most successful defenders in recent history. He has won three league titles, four Champions Leagues, three European Super Cups, four FIFA Club World Cups and many individual trophies.
On Friday, the Frenchman also came to say goodbye to the club and met with his teammates, coaching staff and the president at Real Madrid City where he was warmly received. The French defender visited the president and chatted with him about his time at Real Madrid and the success and achievements while at the club. He also said goodbye to the squad, Carlo Ancelotti and the coaching staff during the team's final training session, where he was given a fond farewell by his teammates. Real Madrid released a video on social media that showed Varane saying his goodbyes on Thursday at the training centre, where he gave a speech to his teammates on the training pitch before meeting with chairman Florentino Perez personally too.
The France international shook hands with each member of staff before being applauded by all his teammates, and then gave the following speech: "Thanks to everyone. The last ten years have been amazing not only on an emotional level, a human level, but also as a professional. I want to leave you all with the feeling that I'm leaving having given everything, and having experienced unique moments. I'm very emotional right now. I wish you all the best, a good season and I'll see you soon. I love you." He then shook hands with every teammate and gave them an emotional embrace before leaving the training ground for the final time.
It is not expected that Varane would be able to undergo a medical until next week due to current UK coronavirus travel restrictions. The fee is €50m (£42.7m) and the defender will sign a four-year contract with an option for another 12 months. He has to obtain a visa before he can fly to England and then he will also have to quarantine following his arrival. After that everything will be set for his medical at United. Varane could start training with his new teammates next week ahead of a possible first appearance for United in their final pre-season friendly with Everton at Old Trafford on August 7.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: "Of course, very happy that we've managed to get a deal with Real Madrid. Medical should hopefully be okay, he's a proven winner, he's a player we've followed for many, many years."
Varane is the second centre-back to leave Madrid this summer after his long-term partner Sergio Ramos, who’s joined Paris Saint-Germain. Madrid have brought in David Alaba on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, but it’s yet to be known whether they’ll go to the market to recruit another centre-back or start the season with Eder Militao as Alaba’s partner. Whatever the case, it would certainly be better to buy another defender since the only experienced alternative to Alaba and Militao is Nacho Fernandez.
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