Manchester United will ‘explore’ the signing of long-term target Raphael Varane this summer as uncertainty continues to surround the Real Madrid defender’s future.
Varane will have just a year remaining on his contract this summer and there have been suggestions the centre-back is keen on a new challenge after a decade at the Bernabeu, a period which has seen the 27-year-old win three league titles and four Champions League trophies.
Real also need to raise funds for their own rebuild under Zinedine Zidane and will demand a fee of around £60m for the France international, his availability understood to have alerted both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
United were keen to sign Varane as a teenager from Lens before the defender ultimately opted for Spain, a conversation with Zidane – then working as club advisor – persuading him his future was with Los Blancos.
According to the Mail, United have been ‘given encouragement’ that the defender is ready to leave Real and will ‘explore’ the prospect of signing Varane as the long-term partner to Harry Maguire.
The Red Devils will, however, attempt Real to lower their asking price for the World Cup winner, whilst interest from PSG could also prove problematic with Varane having supported the French champions as a child.
Varane is one of a number of options currently being assessed by United ahead of the summer window, with moves for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate, Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Sevilla star Jules Kounde all mooted in recent weeks.
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