Raphael Varane to Manchester United is ten years in the making after Sir Alex Ferguson ‘hurtled down to Lille’ only to be pipped by Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid

What do Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer and Raphael Varane have in common?

Besides being footballers, all of them were brave enough to tell legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: 'No'.

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The only difference is that while Gazza and Shearer might have some regrets when they look at their trophy cabinets, Varane will have none whatsoever.

And even if he did, the Real Madrid and France defender is set to rectify this with Man United set to sign him for £43million, plus add-ons.

Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio says the 28-year-old will have his Old Trafford medical in two days.

However, United's first communication with Varane came way back in 2011, before he won four Champions League trophies and a World Cup, establishing himself as one of the world's finest centre-backs.

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The Frenchman's talent was clear for all to see ten years ago after a superb season at Lens, aged 17.

Sir Alex, like he did with so many during his 27 years at United, was so impressed he got personally involved in the negotiations.

Usually, that would be enough to convince anybody. But Madrid had a trump card up their sleeve.

Zinedine Zidane, who had just become Madrid's new sporting director, was every French kid's idol during his playing career - and that proved pretty persuasive.

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Fergie recalled his efforts to sign the defender in his autobiography, writing: “In 2011, I hurtled down on the train from Euston to Lille to sign the young French defender Raphael Varane.

“David Gill was getting into the finer points of the contract with Lens, Varane’s club, when Zinedine Zidane got wind of this and somehow scooped him up for Real Madrid from under our noses.

“I don’t think Jose Mourinho, who was managing Real Madrid, had even seen Varane play.”

Since then, the Red Devils have been linked with Varane countless times, failing on each occasion.

But it looks like it's finally going to happen.