22 Jul 2021 08:20:58
If we were to sell Paul Pogba this summer, would it have any impact on the possible deal to bring Varane to the club?
With them being close friends, I didn't know if Varane would only be interested in signing for us if Pogba was at the club?

1.) 22 Jul 2021
22 Jul 2021 09:07:06
angrykeane16, what you say is understandable if it was a case of Varane being much younger but now he is an experienced pro and he is not going to turn down the big money contract from United which probably could be his last big payday, unless of course if Real can convince him with a better offer which looks unlikely.

2.) 22 Jul 2021
22 Jul 2021 09:08:48
I'd be deeply concerned about the mentality and intelligence of a player who would move himself and his family across Europe into a new country, a new culture, and a very different professional challenge on the basis of playing with one friend at that club.

This isn't picking groups for a highschool project, where you want to work with your mates.

If he is close friends with Pogba then he will know all about Pogba's experiences. What Pogba thinks of the club, the players and the manager. He'll know that Pogba has wanted to leave for a few years, he'll probably have a good idea about Pogba's intentions (sign a new deal or leave this summer or next on a free) .

If he knows all of that and still wants to join then I think that is a good sign that he is moving for his own reasons.

He started his career in his native France, moved to Spain very young. Spent 10 years there winning 3 league titles, 4 UCL titles, 4 domestic cups, and 7 supercups/ world club cups, as well as the world cup with France in 2018.

Having won 19 career titles internationally and domestically he has achieved so much. I think now he just wants to a new challenge, something different.
Maybe he wants to test himself in the "toughest" league in the world, maybe he wants the challenge of helping a stumbling if not fallen giant returning to the top of the pile. Maybe he just wants a change.

If he signs like it seems he will then it will be a great capture for the club and a real boost.

3.) 22 Jul 2021
22 Jul 2021 09:31:14
In all fairness, they are very close, they would have talked during the euros. If he's pushing for United, as suggested, then Pogba couldn't have spoken too badly about the club. Didn't Pogba and Martial have a part to play in Hannibal joining? Or was that just a media story.

Varane was close to joining before going to Real. Ferguson had come to Lille to sign the papers and talk to the player, but the move was hijacked by Zidane. Maybe Varane has always kept that in mind and thought it would be nice to follow up on it some day.

4.) 22 Jul 2021
22 Jul 2021 13:37:09
I think Varane wants, and is entitled to, one last massive contract. By all accounts he is being offered substantially more wages at United than Real are willing to pay. No problem with that, he’s always proved a model professional and have no doubt he will give his all with us. I don’t think Pogba has anything to do with it, he just wants the best deal he can get.

5.) 22 Jul 2021
22 Jul 2021 17:44:12
How old was Ramos when he first led us a merry dance to get a better contract from Madrid?

{Ed077's Note - my guess would be 29.

6.) 23 Jul 2021
23 Jul 2021 03:49:56
In that case Red Man we should be worried. Last time around we wasted a lot of time around Sancho and hopefully it's not the same with Varane.

7.) 23 Jul 2021
23 Jul 2021 06:55:09
Thanks Ed77

LPU

It’s a concern on Varane until he signs, people are excited, yet the Ramos situation was almost identical. Varane is not a Spanish icon mind you, yet also would not be my first choice to partner Maguire.

{Ed077's Note - Varane seems to not have signing a new deal at Real Madrid as his preferred choice, unlike Ramos in 2015. I'm not saying he(Varane) is desperate to leave RM but he seems to be lot more open to the idea of a fresh start in a different league than Ramos ever looked back then.

Also could you share who would be your first choice to partner Maguire, Red Man?