Manchester United Plan January Bid For £80,000-A-Week UCL Winner

Manchester United boss is already putting plans in place for the next transfer window. As per talkSPORT [through the Daily Star], United boss Louis van Gaal is ready to pillage Real Madrid of their coveted defender Raphael Varane when the transfer window reopens in January.

The Dutch tactician was in pursuit of Varane’s team-mates at the Santiago Bernabeu, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, in the summer. However, the deal collapsed as Ramos opted to sign a fresh five-year deal with Los Blancos with Pepe also following suit.

Meanwhile, van Gaal is looking to amplify his options at the heart of defence and is understood to be keen on Varane.

United started the season with the central defence partnership of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind, who operates primarily as a defensive midfielder. The pair continued to excel for the Red Devils in their all of their games this season, as Phil Jones was out with injury.

But Jones is now back and has featured for United, as Smalling’s partner, in the last two outings. Nevertheless, United still want to add Varane to their squad in order to have enough options in the centre-half department.

As per talkSPORT, who cite reports in France, van Gaal will launch an attempt to sign the France international defender in the New Year.

But the Manchester-based outfit will have to be swift in their move, as Chelsea are also keen on Varane and could be looking to sign the Frenchman in January.

The Blues’ were linked with the 22-year old Frenchman in the summer after the move for everton’s John Stones hit a snag. It was claimed that Mourinho – who has a great relationship with Varane since their time together at Real Madrid – wants a reunion with the player as Kurt Zouma’s future central defence partner, but nothing materialised out of the deal.

Meanwhile, United tackle “noisy neighbours” Manchester City in the Manchester derby on Sunday and, the match promises to be an intriguing one as both sides will be looking to secure a victory which will put them in good stead for the Premier League title.