Manchester United are targeting Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo and Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio to replace Raphael Varane.
Varane, 30, will be put up for sale to the highest bidder next summer and Erik ten Hag has already picked out Todibo and Incacio ahead of sitting down with prospective new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for transfer talks. Ratcliffe is close to sealing a £1.3bn deal to purchase an initial 25 per cent stake in United which will give his company, INEOS, control of the club's football operations before they hope to complete a full takeover in the next few years.
A fresh report from the Daily Star states that the Red Devils are ready to sell Varane as part of INEOS' overhaul. The World Cup -winning defender arrived at Old Trafford from Real Madrid in 2021 for £34million, but he's recently grown disillusioned with Ten Hag's methods after dropping below ex-captain Harry Maguire and veteran Jonny Evans in the Dutch manager's pecking order.
United's decision - made in part because Varane earns more than anyone else in the team on £340,000 per week - has put clubs across the globe on re-alert, with the 30-year-old having been a target for multiple Saudi Arabian clubs over the summer. Meanwhile, Varane has been shortlisted by Bayern Munich as an option to bolster their injury-hit defence, with a January move mooted.
His exit is likely to see one of Todibo or Inacio signed, with the latter also linked with a switch to Liverpool. The Portugal international, 22, has made his name as a regular starter in Lisbon and Inacio being left-footed could be of great use to Ten Hag.
Get involved! Who'd be a better signing to replace Varane - Todibo or Inacio? Give us your pick in the comments section.
On the other hand, right-footed Todibo has long been tipped to join the Red Devils and plays for the French club already owned by INEOS, Nice. The former Barcelona defender has helped Francesco Farioli's side soar up to second in the Ligue 1 table this season, being a key part of the best defence in France.
23-year-old Todibo has also had spells with Toulouse, Schalke and Benfica and grew up idolising Varane. "I'm inspired by Thiago Silva and [Virgil] Van Dijk, they are the ones I watch the most. I was also inspired by Varane," he stated earlier this year.
"I'm under contract with Nice until 2027. I don't know if the right choice would be to go elsewhere. This is not the time to think about it. I'm much more serene at this level with the experiences, if I have to make a choice I will do it with a lot of thought."
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
