Manchester United Transfer News: Joao Mario, Raphael Varane, Top Rumours

Manchester United will reportedly turn their attentions to landing Joao Mario from Sporting Lisbon after missing out on Benfica youngster Renato Sanches, who signed with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, with the Red Devils said to be willing to part with a whopping £45 million to secure the midfielder.

That’s according to Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star, who noted the amount is the 23-year-old’s release clause and United are happy to match it. A “series of talks” are already said to have been held about a transfer between the two clubs, and the player will be offered a deal including a £140,000 weekly salary.

These are the kind of creative qualities Mario could potentially bring to Old Trafford if a transfer was done:

The Portugal international may not be a household name across the continent, but he’s a player who has made massive strides this season with Sporting.

He has been excellent in 2016. Mario is versatile—comfortable playing in a withdrawn role, as an orthodox No. 10 or from a wide position—and his feel for the game, technical talents and vision on the pitch allow him to have a positive influence on Sporting’s attacking play.

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Sport Witness’ Jan Hagen thinks he’s been the standout player in the division in the second half of the Portuguese top-flight season:

Mario is a little more refined than Sanches; the Benfica man is still raw, although a major prospect. Therefore, it’d be easier for him to come into the Premier League and make an immediate impact. A player who offers so much on the ball in the final third would do plenty to enliven what has been a stale attack at Old Trafford this term.

According to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror, the Red Devils are also looking to add quality at the back, with Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane said to be “back on United's radar,” and a £25 million offer set to be lodged.

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McDonnell stated the 23-year-old has grown frustrated at not being able to break up the partnership of Pepe and Sergio Ramos, despite his obvious talent. It’d be understandable if the centre-back wanted to have guarantees of regular football from next season. 

After all, he’s a terrific player. As Squawka Football noted, despite his tender years, Varane has already accomplished a lot in the game:

Varane is the ideal, modern-day defender. Of course, there are some rough edges to refine, but he’s a commanding presence in the air and a superb tackler. Additionally, he has the pace to match many forwards, a composure in tight areas and the class to get things going from deeper positions with clever passing.

Some would point to United’s defensive setup as one of the few plus points to emerge from this season, with Chris Smalling and Daley Blind striking up a solid understanding under manager Louis van Gaal. An upgrade is certainly needed in this area of the team, though.

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Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette thinks the latter, while enjoying a positive campaign, isn’t good enough to forge an elite defence around:

Elsewhere, United are set to raid Monaco for the second consecutive summer, this time in the hope of landing Bernardo Silva, according to Superdeporte (h/t Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star).

After the successful capture of Anthony Martial, it’s suggested the Red Devils will go back to the principality club to snaffle the team’s creator-in-chief. Silva, a Portugal international, has grown into a key figure for the team having signed from Benfica in 2015.

Silva’s inventive talents have really shone through for Monaco in the second half of the Ligue 1 season. Here is a look at some of his best moments:

Varane would be the most impressive capture. While there’s been a sense the Frenchman would cement his spot in the Los Blancos side for a few years now, the changing of the guard still hasn’t been fully implemented. If United could somehow capitalise on this uncertainty, it’d be to their benefit in the long run.

Mario, for £45 million, would be a major gamble, especially coming into a division that is more physical and unforgiving than the Portuguese top flight. For that kind of outlay, a lot of supporters would want to see a player who is proven in an elite league and at the highest level of European football, too.