Well now, when it comes to football, one man has for many years been the most noticeable, the most controversial, and occasionally the most successful blogger this country has ever produced. His pithy words and abrasive style make him as famous off the pitch as he is on it. This man is Escapini. "I love football. Football she's a cruel mistress. She's, she's more than a mistress. She's a wife, she's a mother, she's a daughter, she's an errant child. She's a… she's a… she can make you laugh, she make you cry. She can bring tears me eyes. She can bring blood to me shoulders. She can bring a kettle to the boil." "Cause football is about nothing, unless it's about something and what it is about, is football."

1 min readPublished 27 May 2011, 12:31

Manchester United Football Club

Man Utd Scouts Land Exceptional £3M Man

Premier League Champions Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the signature of Lens defender Raphael Varane.

The 18-year old has made 22 appearances for the club since his debut in November last year. Despite the clubs relegation Varane’s stock has risen steadily and the player could be available at a reduced price of around £3 million.

Varane had agreed a new contract until 2015 in February but looks set to move a bigger club with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Italian side Roma also keen.

But, Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to move quickest for the 6ft 3in defender as he looks to strengthen his defence for the future.

The French Under-21 defender made his Lens debut at just 17 and has and has played in both midfield and defence and looks set to have a bright future ahead of him.