Man Utd set '£51m asking price' for Raphael Varane transfer replacement

Manchester United will be forced to pay €60m (£51m) for Atalanta star Giorgio Scalvini should they want to complete a January deal.

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the centre-back as Erik ten Hag attempts to renew his defensive options. Scalvini has been touted as a potential replacement for Raphael Varane.

The Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order under Ten Hag and is expected to leave Old Trafford sooner rather than later. Varane is out of contract at the end of the season - United having already decided to not activate an option in his deal to extend that by a further campaign.

The January transfer window represents their final opportunity to secure a considerable amount for his services. Speaking of fees, they could be set to pay a pretty penny for his replacement.

According to SportItalia, Atalanta are demanding €60m (£51m) for Scalvini. It is also suggested that a sale this window remains unlikely - particularly with four-and-a-half years remaining on the 20-year-old’s current contract.

The Red Devils are no strangers to doing big-money business with the Italian club. Following a deal for Amad Diallo in 2020, they elected to pay £72m for ex-Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund last summer.

Should Scalvini complete a move to Old Trafford, he will hope to live up to expectations. Former Arsenal star Sead Kolasinac has already praised his early performances with Atalanta.

He said: "I am struck by the maturity of his 19 years. He reads the game well, he knows what to do with the ball, defend one-on-one, how to use his body in marking. It's nice to have him alongside [me] in defence. But first of all he is a good guy, even humble. If he doesn't lose this character, he will have a great career."

Scalvini has made 21 appearances in all competitions for Atalanta this season having featured in the first team since the 2021/22 campaign. By comparison, Varane who has only made 11 outings for United this term.

Ten Hag was forced to dispute in November that the pair had an ongoing issue. "Rapha Varane? I don't know what you're talking about," Ten Hag said. "It's rumours. Very important player, but there's internal competition and there should be at a top club, as we are."