Man United sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid for £42m

Manchester United have announced that the £42million deal for Raphael Varane to join from Real Madrid is almost complete, with the Frenchman set to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's third arrival of a sensational summer, reports UK's Daily Mail.

The 28-year-old World Cup-winning centre back has long been one of United's top targets. Varane's contract at the Bernebeu was set to expire next summer, meaning United got him for a price well below what his market value would have been 12 months previously.

On Monday the Red Devils and Madrid agreed a £42m fee, including £34m up front and £8m in add-ons, with both club and player having already struck a deal over personal terms and an announcement has followed on Tuesday night.

In a short statement, the club said: 'Manchester United is delighted to announce the club has reached agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of French international defender and World Cup winner, Raphael Varane, subject to a medical and to player terms being finalised.'

Real Madrid heaped praise on Varane for his trophy-laden decade in the Spanish capital, saying: 'Our club thanks you for your professionalism and exemplary behavior during the ten seasons in which you have defended our shirt, with which you have won 18 titles: 4 Champions League, 4 Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 3 Leagues, 1 Copa del Rey and 3 Spanish Super Cups.

'Real Madrid wants to show all its affection to Raphael Varane and his family and wishes him good luck in this new stage of his professional career.'

Varane returned to Madrid's training ground for pre-season medical checks this week, but travel plans were swiftly arranged as the move gathered pace. His exit ends his 10-year stay in the Spanish capital, during which he won LaLiga three times and the Champions League on four occasions.

United have capitalised on Madrid's need to raise funds this summer as they aim to build towards a Kylian Mbappe bid next year, and Solskjaer now has the defensive partner for Harry Maguire he has long sought as he continues the revolution of the squad he inherited from Jose Mourinho in 2018.

Varane will have to quarantine on arrival in England before undergoing his medical and is expected to sign a four-year contract with an option for a further 12 months.

The Frenchman's arrival adds to what is becoming a very fruitful transfer window for Solskjaer, having already bolstered their attacking options with the £73m signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. Goalkeeper Tom Heaton has also signed on a free transfer.

One of United's long-standing shortcomings was a central defender to play alongside England star Maguire, with Victor Lindelof struggling to complement their £80m captain's abilities.

Sancho and Varane's arrivals are a sign of intent that United are ready to breach the gap between them and rivals Manchester City, who won the Premier League by a huge 12 points last season.

United finished second in England's top flight last term and also ended the campaign as Europa League runners-up to Villarreal - who defeated the Red Devils after a long-running penalty shootout in the Gdansk final.