Man Utd close in on Raphael Varane AND Kieran Trippier double transfers in £68m deal to bolster defence

MANCHESTER UNITED are close to completing a double defensive swoop for Raphael Varane and Kieran Trippier.

Both deals are all but done with announcements expected towards the end of next week.

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United look set to hand Real Madrid a £50million fee for Varane, 28, despite the French international centre-back having just one year left on his Bernabeu contract.

England full-back Trippier, 30, wants the move to Old Trafford after two successful years at Atletico Madrid — and a transfer worth £18m is in the final stages.

The two deals will take United’s spending to more than £140m this summer with the arrival of winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for £73m.

Spanish giants Real initially wanted £60m for Varane but have to sell now to get a fee having lost Sergio Ramos to Paris Saint-Germain on a free.

Varane’s representatives are understood to have negotiated terms over a five-year deal.

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Concerns over Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s distribution going forward and his defending of crosses led to boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pursuit of Trippier.

He also believes he could move Wan-Bissaka inside as part of a three-man backline.

Trippier can play right-back, left-back or wing-back and was monitored by United all last season as the ex-Tottenham player won LaLiga with Atletico.