- Real Madrid willing to sell defender Raphael Varane
- Spanish giants would reportedly accept offer of around €60m for Frenchman
- Report adds that Man Utd are keen on the centre-half and could swoop
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Given how long he’s been regarded as a present and future cornerstone of the Real Madrid line-up, it will come as a shock that reports claim Raphael Varane is on the market.
The 24-year-old arrived in the Spanish capital in 2011 with big expectations as he has continued to mature and develop his game to become a key figure in the squad.
While he’s made 17 appearances in all competitions so far this season, it would seem safe to assume that he’s an integral piece in Zinedine Zidane’s plans, especially after Pepe left the Bernabeu this past summer as he remains one of just two experienced options at the back along with Sergio Ramos.
However, according to Diario Gol, as re-reported by The Express, the Frenchman is said to be available as Real Madrid are willing to accept an offer that they deem good enough, with club president Florentino Perez accused of ‘betraying’ him with his openness to sell.
It’s added that it will likely take a bid of €60m to prise Varane away from Real Madrid, and the reports have perked the interest of Man Utd who have been linked with him in the past.
From a Real Madrid perspective, it surely doesn’t make any sense to sell him. While his injury problems have been a headache, perhaps that’s enough of a reason to accept a suitable bid and then reinvest that money back into the squad as he’ll certainly need to be replaced with Ramos needing a top defensive partner by his side.
As for Man Utd, they seemingly have more than enough options at the back with Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof all on the list. As a result, it remains to be seen whether or not Jose Mourinho really does want a reunion with Varane having previously worked with him in Madrid, and if Los Blancos are actually prepared to let him go.