In-the-know reporter Fabrizio Romano has given Raphael Varane’s move to Manchester United his ‘here we go’ treatment.

The transfer reporter tweeted : “Agreement almost done between Man Utd and Real Madrid, just final details to be completed and then paperworks time. It’s a “matter of hours or days”. Here-we-go. Varane has a total agreement on personal terms too.”

United were linked to Varane before he moved from Lens to Real Madrid in 2011. On that occasion, Sir Alex Ferguson was unsuccessful, and instead moved for Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. Whilst Jones did not fulfil his potential, Varane certainly has, winning three league titles and four Champions Leagues in Spain and of course the 2018 World Cup with France. He has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world and has been one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s main targets.

The 28-year-old has played 360 times for Madrid and 79 times for his country.

Having already agreed personal terms, it appears that Varane could conclude his transfer imminently. With his contract due to expire next summer, United are set to receive one of the star names in the world for a relative bargain of around £40m – a certain improvement for the back-line.

If he does sign, he will become the second big-name signing of the summer, following the arrival from Borussia Dortmund of Jadon Sancho last week.

Varane has been described by Lens youth coach Éric Assadourian as a “truly first class player” who is “comfortable on both the tactical and technical level”. On 30 January 2013, the then Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka talked about Varane in the press conference post-El Clásico of the Copa del Rey, saying, “It’s obvious that Varane has a good head on his shoulders and will keep improving.”

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker gave his thoughts on the move exclusively to TalkOfTheDevils today on our podcast :