Robbie Walls
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has refused to be drawn on his future, amid rumours of a possible Premier League switch this summer.
The World Cup winner has enjoyed a stellar ten-year spell in the Spanish capital since joining from RC Lens as a teenager in 2011, going on to play a crucial role in four Champions League triumphs, as well as three La Liga titles.
While still a pivotal player for Los Blancos, the Frenchman faces an uncertain future in Madrid with just a year remaining on his current deal, leading to suggestions he could be sold this summer should he fail to commit to a new deal.
With Varane now potentially on the market this summer, the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have been strongly linked with making a move for the player, although he has refused to be drawn on any such speculation, with the upcoming European Championships seemingly his priority.
“This is not the time to talk about my future,” the Frenchman said. “I am focused on the selection, on this Euro.
“It is normal and logical to ask the question and for my part, it is normal and logical to focus on the upcoming deadlines.
“We are all human beings. We can think about it. As for my personal case, I am focused on the objectives that we have in the France team, it is not a subject that I will discuss every day in my room at Clairefontaine.
“I am focused on my goal, and now is not the time to discuss it. If I have to talk about it, it will be directly with the people concerned.”
The central defender also offered his reaction to the recent departure of Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, the legendary figure having been instrumental in persuading him to move to Real Madrid over Sir Alex Ferguson’s United a decade ago.
“My first reaction is that I feel proud for the last ten years. He took me from Lens to Real Madrid and I have learned a lot alongside him.
“He is a coach that has a human side. He is a source of inspiration, not only for me but for many players who have met him.
“Seeing him leave is strange for me and for an entire generation of players at Real Madrid.
“It has been a pleasure to work with him, and it would be nice for it to happen again in the future. He is a great coach and a great human being.”