Manchester United are interested in making a big-money move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
Jose Mourinho has been desperate for defensive reinforcements and the club have identified Varane as their dream target.
The Portuguese worked with the Frenchman during his time in charge at The Bernabeu and United chief executive Ed Woodward is believed to be prepared to pay a world-record fee for the defender, should Madrid be willing to sell.
United have been linked with several defensive targets, with first-choice pairing Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof failing to convince in a side that has conceded 21 goals in their opening 13 Premier League games.
Having grown frustrated with his current options, the Evening Standard are reporting that Woodward is now willing back Mourinho and sanction a deal that would see Varane become the most expensive defender in history, eclipsing the £75m that Liverpool spent to take Virgil Van Dijk to Anfield.