Chelsea have joined Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Real Madrid centre-back Raphaël Varane.
Earlier this month, AS reported Thomas Tuchel has identified the 28-year-old as a priority target for the summer.
The defender’s contract expires in 2022 and without a renewal, he has been a regular topic of discussion in the Spanish press.
Thursday’s edition of AS has a report on the France international, titled ‘Varane is the key to the market’.
Within the report, it’s explained the player isn’t thinking of signing a new deal with the La Liga side and has ‘eagerness to explore’ the proposals that will arrive for him.
Zinedine Zidane’s side will be ‘obliged to sell’ him to raise funds, if Varane decides against renewing his contract.
Real Madrid’s hope is to earn around €80m from his sale and use those funds to help them in their efforts to sign their summer targets. PSG forward Kylian Mbappé and Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland are linked with them.
PSG, United and the Blues are again mentioned in today’s report, and regarding the west London club, it’s stated the former Lens man is ‘courted’ by Chelsea.
With three clubs named as suitors, AS make it clear that Varane will have the ‘last word’ on the summer transfer.
Whether he will continue at Real Madrid by signing a contract or move elsewhere to a club like Chelsea remains to be seen.
