Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is planning a three man defence for next season, which will see Diego Godin link up with Raphael Varane and Mats Hummels.
The Red Devils were unable to strengthen their defence in the January transfer window but did agree a deal in principle with Borussia Dortmund for defender Mats Hummels in the region of £37m.
Matched with that deal, the English club are ready to offer Raphael Varane a way out of Real Madrid after seeing him struggle to maintain a starting place in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
United boss Louis van Gaal had first thought that Hummels and Varane would compliment each other well at the heart of the United defence and that the club would be able to make a serious title push next season with those two signings.
And, whilst that might still be the case, it is understood that the former Barcelona and Netherlands boss is keen to have a three-man defence which includes Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin.
Godin has been in impressive form for the Spanish champions but their failure to keep hold of their top players in recent years has buoyed Van Gaal into thinking a summer move could be reality.
Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are expected to be sold.