Transfer Centre

Manchester United to use Eric Bailly in Raphael Varane swap deal?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 04 April 2019

Manchester United will reportedly attempt to use Eric Bailly in any deal to sign Raphael Varane this summer after learning of Real Madrid's interest in the Ivorian.

Manchester United are reportedly considering using out-of-favour Eric Bailly in any offer for Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.

Varane's future at the Bernabeu has come under scrutiny in recent weeks despite Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane repeatedly insisting that he does not want to lose the World Cup-winning France international this summer.

Los Blancos will reportedly demand his full €500m (£429m) release clause be paid before they sanction an exit, but Varane remains one of United's top targets as they eye defensive reinforcements.

The Red Devils are confident that Madrid's valuation is purely to put teams off, and the Daily Mail claims that they could attempt to lower the price even further by including Bailly in a player-plus-cash deal.

Bailly has reportedly emerged as a surprise £35m transfer target for Madrid this summer, with Zidane understood to have been a fan of the centre-back since his Villarreal days.

Both clubs are expected to make significant changes to their squads this summer following disappointing domestic campaigns, although United will face stiff competition in their pursuit of Varane with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain also interested.