Manchester United’s supporters have flocked to social media this evening, to have some lighthearted fun at the expense of their Arsenal counterparts.
Varane incoming
It has of course proven another fine day in the life of a Red Devils fan.
As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co. go about finally building a squad capable of challenging for major title for years to come, United have all but sewn up the very definition of a statement signing.
The player incoming? Raphael Varane.
As per a host of reliable sources, those in a position of power at Old Trafford are on the verge of pushing a deal for long-time Real Madrid stalwart Varane over the line.
Mere days after the arrival of Jadon Sancho was made official, John Mourtough and co. have thrashed out the details of a long-term contract, to tie one of world football’s finest defenders down until 2026:
More details. Raphaël Varane contract with Manchester United will be on a four-years basis with option to extend until June 2026. Personal terms agreed since days and paperworks prepared in the last few hours. 🔴⏳ #MUFC #Varane
Real Madrid accepted the bid today morning. 🤝
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 26, 2021
Arsenal targeted
Making the latest imminent reinforcement to Solskjaer’s ranks an even more impressive one, though, is the bargain fee which for which Varane is set to arrive in Manchester.
Taking advantage of the Frenchman’s precarious situation in Madrid (current contract is due to expire next year), United managed to swing a deal for an initial fee of just 34 million pounds:
🚨 Man Utd finalising signing of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid. Agreements in place with 28yo & #RMFC. Price £35m + add-ons but Real to pay La Liga solidarity so cost to #MUFC £34m + add-ons. Deal 4yr + 1. Medical unclear due to quarantine @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/KL0xNMQcid
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 26, 2021
Comparisons with a Premier League rival, set to spend big on a somewhat less glamorous defensive reinforcement of their own, were therefore inevitable.
Arsenal are of course primed to snap up Ben White from Brighton any day now, for a total fee of around £50 million.
It should of course be noted, as outlined above, that Varane’s terms in Spain were due to expire in just 10 months, with the stopper also five years White’s senior, and expected to secure a significantly more lucrative wage packet at Old Trafford.
On the flip-side, though, the soon-to-be former Real Madrid man is a 4-time Champions League winner, and a World Cup champion.
In turn, it should come as little surprise to see the Red Devils faithful, in understandably joyous mood, not quite able to help themselves in poking some lighthearted fun at their Gunners counterparts this evening:
Around £40mil for 4-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane… whilst Assenal are forking out £50mil for 1-time EFL Championship player of the Month Ben White, absolute banter club.
— Ronaldo Brown (@ronaldobrown_98) July 26, 2021
4-time Champions League and 2018 World Cup winner Raphael Varane for less money than August 2019 Championship player of the month Ben White is outstanding. give it up for Johnny Murtaugh! https://t.co/a3UoUUs5K2
— Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) July 26, 2021
So Arsenal get Pepe and Ben White for £125M and we get Varane and Sancho for £115M.
I’m laughing so hard I’ve got a stitch. pic.twitter.com/stMeYmeLrS— Sav 🖖🏼🇾🇪🏴 (@jonmikesav8) July 26, 2021
We’re actually getting Raphael Varane for less than Arsenal are paying for Ben White 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— WHF!🇾🇪 (@UtdWesleyy) July 25, 2021
Sooo your telling me we’ve just bagged Varane for £41 million and Arsenal are out here panic buying Ben white for £50 million? My club could never
— Owen Lucas (@olucas96) July 26, 2021
42 million for Varane is steal even with bonuses when aome clubs are going to pay over 50 for a Brighton CB
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) July 26, 2021
So we getting Varane for €35m,what a bargain👏👏👏
How much did Arsenal pay for Ben White again???😂😂#Mufc pic.twitter.com/HWL6FYBkSh— Maribel🇨🇦 Mufc👸Sancho (@maryl_belle) July 26, 2021
Arsenal fans when they realise they paid more for Ben White than what United paid for Varane : pic.twitter.com/DFDMIhvDfk
— Pulkit 🔰 (@OleTrain) July 26, 2021
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