Raphael Varane has already agreed personal terms ahead of a move to Manchester United and Real Madrid know it. Now, the Spanish club have taken the step needed to ensure that the deal can be done and negotiations have begun.
Manchester United wanted to lower the asking price, but the final fee will be around the 50 million euros the LaLiga Santander side have demanded.
A decade after he arrived in Madrid, the fee between the clubs is the only element missing to seal Varane's exit.
Despite his contract being up next summer, Varane has returned to training this week as expected and did not put any pressure on the club to force a move.
Real Madrid are keen to cash in, rather than allow him to leave for free, and now face a defence without the Frenchman or his teammate Sergio Ramos next season.