Manchester United and Real Madrid have established contact over a potential move for highly-rated defender Raphael Varane.
As reported by reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils have approached Los Blancos to understand the availability of the 28-year-old centre-back.
He adds the Frenchman is keen to secure a new challenge away from La Liga despite Madrid’s continuous attempts to tie him down to a new deal.
Varane has been United’s top defensive target for months as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to pair him with captain Harry Maguire in the heart of the defence next season.
With France suffering a shocking Euro 2020 exit to Switzerland in the round of 16, the ex-Lens player can now focus on sorting out his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He has less than a year left to run on his current contract in the Spanish capital, which puts Los Merengues in an awkward situation heading into the peak of the summer transfer window.
After failing to convince his star centre-half to pledge his future to the white jersey, Madrid chief Florentino Perez has a tough choice to make this summer.
Sergio Ramos already parted ways with the 2020/21 La Liga runners-up to link up with Paris Saint-Germain, leaving new boss Carlo Ancelotti short of reliable options at the back.
The Spaniards are now desperate to keep hold of their long-term servant beyond the summer.
However, that would mean Varane could leave the club on a free at the end of the 2021/22 season.
United are eager to land a top-class defender to boost their hopes of lifting their first Premier League title in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Solskjaer sees Varane as an instant upgrade on Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof and wants to get the deal over the line as soon as possible.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login