Suraj Radia
Raphael Varane, Man Utd, 2023/24
© IMAGO
Manchester United have reportedly made a ‘formal offer’ for the first summer signing, with a Real Madrid star being lined up to bolster their squad with a prove, elite-level international.
United could find themselves playing Champions League football next season after four successive wins under Michael Carrick which has seen the club elevate into the top five of the Premier League.
With United seemingly thriving in a back four after the sacking of Ruben Amorim, the club are already looking at ways to improve the team in the summer and Fichajes" href="https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/real-madrid-recibe-oferta-40-millones-eder-militao-20260207.html" target="_blank">Fichajes report that Real Madrid’s Eder Militao is being eyed as an option.
United could be on the lookout for a centre-back this summer to replace Harry Maguire if the 32-year-old leaves at the end of his contract" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/02/man-utd-transfer-news-today-100m-wonderkid-yan-diomande-red-devils-record-summer-signing" target="_blank">if the 32-year-old leaves at the end of his contract and Militao is allegedly seen as ‘fitting perfectly’ with the club’s plans due to his age, experience and calibre.
Real still value Militao and the 28-year-old is considered an important player but a €40 million formal offer is said to have caught the club’s attention and forced a ‘sit down’ to consider the ‘sporting and economic context’ of a deal.
The offer isn’t considered ‘unrefutable’ but it has warranted ‘serious discussion’ and, with Real looking to add a number of defenders this summer, Militao’s departure may come at the right time for the club and his value.
Militao injury history should see Man Utd proceed with caution
Man Utd are no strangers to dealing with Real Madrid, having signed Casemiro in a similar deal in 2022 and the Brazilian midfielder is set to leave Old Trafford this summer when his contract expires." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/02/man-utd-transfer-news-today-three-deadline-day-deals-as-ineos-gamble-casemiro-exit-u-turn" target="_blank">Brazilian midfielder is set to leave Old Trafford this summer when his contract expires.
Eder Militao has suffered multiple serious injuries during his time at Real Madrid.
© IMAGO - Eder Militao has suffered multiple serious injuries during his time at Real Madrid.
Despite some difficult moments, the €70m signing of Casemiro has been largely successful and he will leave having brought crucial experience and pedigree to the club, which is perhaps why United are looking to make a similar purchase from Real again.
However, United will be wary of Militao’s injury history, which has seen the Brazil international start just 29 La Liga games since 2023, having suffered two cruciate ligament tears in that time.
Such a scenario could see Militao’s signing be closer to that of Raphael Varane, who also joined United at age 28 from Madrid but only managed 68 league appearances in three years before retiring due to injury.
With two years remaining on his contract, Real may find it the best time to cash in on Militao and avoid further concerns, particularly with interest in defenders such as Ibrahima Konate and Nico Schlotterbeck going into the summer.
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