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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Man Utd 'edging closer' to £68m double La Liga swoop as they bolster defensive ranks

Manchester United are closing in on moves for Raphael Varane and Kieran Trippier for a combined £68m.

The Red Devils have been looking to bolster their defensive options this summer and the Madrid pair would add quality across the backline.

Real Madrid have resigned themselves to Varane's departure with his contract at the Bernabeu winding down.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been seeking someone to play alongside Harry Maguire at the heart of defence and looks set to hand Los Blancos £50m for the World Cup winner, reports The Sun.

Varane's representatives are believed to have thrashed out a five-year deal at Old Trafford.

Raphael Varane is out of contract at Real Madrid in the summer of 2022 (Getty Images)

Trippier meanwhile has only spent two years in the Spanish capital following his switch from Tottenham to Atletico Madrid.

Last term he helped Diego Simeone's side claim the La Liga title but could now return to England.

Trippier was one of several quality right-backs in the Three Lions ranks and finds himself ahead of current United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the pecking order.

There have been doubts about the former Crystal Palace man's ability going forward, despite his defensive qualities, with a move to centre-half potentially on the cards.

Kieran Trippier played a crucial role for England at Euro 2020 (Alessandra Tarantino/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Trippier's ability to play on either flank and as a wing-back or a conventional full-back is also a plus.

A fee of around £18m will be required to prise him away from Atletico.

Both deals are all but complete with announcements expected towards the end of next week.

Confirmation of Jadon Sancho's transfer is also thought to be imminent.

United made moves to sign the winger from Borussia Dortmund last summer but have now finally got their man for considerably less than they would've paid.

It adds further firepower to a frontline that already boasts the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani.

Solskjaer and United endured a poor summer of recruitment 12 months ago but look to have got their act together.

The Norwegian will keen to again build following a second place finish and has challenge his squad to start the season fast.

He said: “Definitely. We all need to start on the front foot and kick off at the right tempo because, when the season starts, we know how little can decide the season being a successful one or not so successful.

"Every single game of those 38 counts equally. Yeah, there are bragging rights for some of the games, of course, but you only get three points every game and you’ve got to take one game at a time.”

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