Manchester United are reportedly close to completing the signing of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.

What's the story?

According to Diario AS journalist Edu Cornago, the 28-year-old is edging closing to the Bernabeu exit door as he seeks pastures new in the red half of Manchester.

He tweeted: “The Varane-United agreement is very close to being produced. Varane welcomes the option of going to Manchester.”

Fans will be thrilled

United have already secured two transfers so far this summer, finally acquiring former Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho in a £73 million deal, while goalkeeper Tom Heaton has returned to his boyhood club on a free transfer.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now hopeful of adding a new centre-back to his ranks as he plans for a tilt at the title, and Varane has seemingly emerged as the Norwegian's primary transfer target.

Varane is set to enter the final year of his current deal at Madrid, and the Old Trafford outfit are keen to take advantage of the World Cup winner’s contract situation, with Los Blancos fearful of losing one of their prized assets for free next summer.

His arrival at United would be seen as a significant coup by the club's fans and hierarchy alike, and news that his potential addition is thought to be close to completion will have the supporters feeling thrilled.

After 10 years in the Spanish capital, the French international has won all there is to win in club football, establishing himself as one of the world's best players in his position.

Forming a key part of one of the best club sides in recent times, Varane has collected four Champions League crowns, three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and four FIFA Club World Cups during his time in Madrid.

While United undoubtedly made significant progress under Solskjaer last season, they finished 12 points behind champions Manchester City in the Premier League table and extended their longest trophy drought in over 30 years.

Adding Varane to their ranks could go some way to help United reel in Pep Guardiola's Cityzens and ending the Red Devils' eight-year wait for another top-flight title, so this transfer update should delight their supporters.

And, in other news...Duncan Castles provides intriguing Man Utd transfer update that’ll delight fans