Torres is basically an upgraded Lindelof, he’s tall enough to be emposing and heavy enough to not get rag dolled.SameI'm trying to make my peace with us signing Torres, he's certainly not shit, he's an upgrade on Lindelof, but I'm left feeling underwhelmed due to how similar they are.
They don't really have to replace him per se as Alaba coming in will start week in week out and Militao who's very young has had a "Coming of Age" season having established himself as a regular for club and country. Nacho who's also been really good this season and (reportedly)Vallejo would be solid as back ups
There's nothing wrong with exploring if one of the most decorated CBs of his generation could be available. We'd be foolish to invest our time in a 21yr old CB(I rate Botman BTW but he's still very raw) who's struggling at International Level for the U20s with Netherlands and potentially letting Varane go elsewhere due to fear of the unknown
Exactly. Varane is of course fully aware of that, which is why we're seeing all this nonsense in the press. Eventually, he'll get the contract he wants from Madrid. United need to stay out of it - we've been burned enough in the past to know better, so I think (and hope) we're looking at other targets.
45m pays Torres buy out clause right?
Except they won't have to. Pau Torres and Jules Kounde are both available for less than 60mil and they have Militao who has potential and ended the season on a high alongside Nacho.
we either sign the perfect CB we need, or we force madrid into another high contract? what’s the issue here?
I reckon United's board aren't competent enough to discuss more than one deal at a time.
well that’s probably true also!
That's what will happen imo. Varane won't extend. The other likely scenario is him staying an extra year and leaving on a free next summer but am not sure Madrid would allow that.
In that case Id just be sitting in the interview room (armed) waiting for it all to kick off.
Well players are always overrated by some but whatever the general feeling here is on Varane, what he definitely is, is better than what we have and ticks every single box in what we should be looking for in a partner for Maguire.
after seeing ramos walk for free they won’t want another player doing it. they’ll sell him this window if he doesn’t commit too i’m sure of that.
I agree, he would be a very good fit for Maguire (probably Lindelof too). And he is a good CB at his prime.
Who would the best CB available be to you? I'm quite interested. Think all options have serious flaws.
This. Madrid need the money and there's no suggestion even in Spain that Varane is wanting a new contract. Everybody seems to think he wants a new challenge. Let's not forget that Madrid reportedly messed him about before realising that they are at serious risk of losing him for nothing.
It would be some U-turn if he ended up signing now after Madrid already offered him everything.
Of course injuries are always a concern. That said I still think he's head and shoulders still the best CB available, imo.
Looks like PSG will sign Ramos.
PSG won't sign both Ramos and Varane as long as Marquinhos and Kimpembe are key players in their prime
I forgot Ramos is leaving as well. How likely are Madrid selling both of their starting Cb's though?
Ramos walked on a free and Varane has 1 year left on his contract. If he's not renewing then he'll be sold after the Euros.
nice everyone wins
Pretty unlikely. We'll sign Pau Torres, Real will play Alaba and Varane at CB next season.
You forget Militao
I dont know. With Alaba's wages he's likely a starter and Ramos replacement. If they sell Varane and get one of Kounde or Torres surely the plan will be for on of them to start too. If not then theres no point spending Varane's money on a defender that's not going to be a starter when their attack still needs improving and they are apparently 'skint'
Nah, I think that's what he wants form reports. Rather than what he's on.
It could be Militao and Alaba, Militao and Nacho, or even Mendy and Miguel Gutiérrez as LB. In any case, I don't think they have money for Kounde (unless they accept Isco / Mariano / etc + money) or Pau.
Yeah I think going with Militao makes sense. I just went off the reports that Madrid want Kounde or Torres. How good of a CB is Alaba though. Are you ok with him replacing Ramos or would you have preferred not to sign him and extend Ramos contact instead
He's on €6m net a year. That's works to just under £200k a week. Reports that Alaba is on double his wages and that's not fair.
