Club president admits Man United star is his “dream” signing, but reveals big problem

Lens president Joseph Oughourlian has admitted that although Raphaël Varane is a dream signing, there is a problem signing the outgoing Manchester United star.

Raphaël Varane will leave Manchester United this summer when his contract expires on 30 June, leaving a gaping hole in Erik ten Hag‘s defensive line.

Varane’s last fixture came in the form of an FA Cup final win over Manchester City, where the defender performed brilliantly across 90 minutes to help United secure the trophy during his final minutes for the club.

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Varane has previously expressed that he would like to retire at one of the three clubs he had played at during his career: United, Lens, and Real Madrid.

“I will finish my career either in Madrid, or in Manchester, or in Lens,” Varane said last year. “I will not move to another club [other than those].

“But Madrid seems complicated to me. Players don’t usually go back there. The most likely outcome today is that I will finish [my career] in either Manchester or Lens.”

Having departed United, Varane’s only option would therefore Lens, but club president Joseph Oughourlian has played down rumours of a transfer for Varan being close, explaining that the finances involved are an issue.

“I don’t have this information that the deal is advanced,” the president said. “I don’t recognise what a lot of articles are saying. For an investment like that, someone would probably have consulted me.”

Oughourlian then went on to explain that he feels signing Varane would be his “dream”, but the financial elements will need to be looked at.

“For the fan that I am, it’s my dream. For the president, there is no negotiation; we will have to see the financial elements.”