Manchester United and PSG approach Real Madrid for Varane

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have both made approaches for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, claims The Independent.

Varane is reportedly considering his future at Madrid after eight years in Spain and United and PSG have been put on high alert.

United are long-term admirers of Varane and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward confirmed last summer he was prepared to splash £100m on the Frenchman.

Reports have emerged suggesting Varane is leaning towards leaving Madrid but manager Zinedine Zidane has made it clear he doesn’t want the 2018 World Cup winner to go anywhere at the end of the season.

United and PSG have both made strengthening their defence a top priority this summer and Varane is right at the top of their summer transfer lists.

It remains to be seen whether Varane is mulling his future at Madrid as a way to earn a bumper new deal.

Sergio Ramos used United’s interest in 2017 to earn a new deal and Varane could be following suit.

The 25-year-old’s current Madrid deal is due to expire until the summer of 2022 after last extending his contract in September 2017.

Varane has won another Champions League and the World Cup since then and should have arguably been crowned the world’s best player ahead of Madrid team-mate Luka Modric in September.

However, Madrid will aim to complete one of the most dramatic squad overhauls in football history at the end of the season and president Florentino Perez will need to raise money through player sales.

Gareth Bale will more than likely be offloaded by Perez will struggle to find suitors willing to match their valuation and the player’s salary demands.

Madrid will have no such problem with Varane, who is already being heavily pursued by United and PSG.

For all of Varane’s class, the Frenchman does struggle to stay fit for prolonged spells. A large portion of Varane’s time at Madrid has been spent playing second fiddle to Pepe and Ramos but he has still never managed more than 30 appearances in a single league campaign.