Raphael Varane is preparing to join Manchester United despite reporting for pre-season training at Real Madrid.
The Manchester Evening News understands Varane, 28, has already made arrangements to travel to Manchester in anticipation of a move to United.
Varane is also believed to have studied United's defending from last season, when they conceded 18 goals from set-pieces.
United have been working on a £50million deal for Varane for upwards of a month, having expressed their firm interest in the France international midway through last season.
The club is on their latest round of negotiations over Varane's personal terms, which are close to being finalised.
The MEN revealed in March Madrid are prepared to sell Varane to United in order to obtain a fee for the France international, who is out of contract next year.
Madrid have already offset Varane's expected departure with the addition of David Alaba on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.
As revealed by the MEN last month, United are also open to recruiting a second centre-back this summer after the planned addition of Varane.
United have been relaxed about the gradual progress on a move for Varane due to his downtime following the European Championship. Sources say United are expected to sign Varane for a 'good price' and his fee is not expected to be a sticking point.
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward claimed he was prepared to sanction a £100million move for Varane following the 2018 World Cup.
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