Manchester United have been heavily linked to Raphael Varane over the past week, with claims from Spain first appearing months ago.
There’s a belief the defender fancies a new adventure having done it all at Real Madrid, and hasn’t been happy with the renewal offers he’s received anyway. Reports have put Madrid’s asking price at anywhere from €50m to €70m and it’s thought the Old Trafford club want to pay around €45m
Jules Kounde has been named as an alternative, and AS do that again on Sunday. Tottenham have also been heavily linked with the player over the past week, with it reported new Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo has him as a transfer target.
There’s been rumours about Toby Alderweireld’s future and it’s thought Tottenham are in the market for at least one central defender. However, on repeat occasions it’s been made clear Kounde wants a club in the Champions League, and that would favour Manchester United over Tottenham.
AS say Kounde is the alternative to Varane for the Red Devils, and state he’s ‘more expensive but younger’.
Sevilla are looking for around €70m so it would be an expensive Plan B for Manchester United. Kounde is 22-years-of-age, whereas Varane is 28, but the former would almost certainly be on much lower wages than the latter if he made the move, and the difference over a four or five year contract could be greater than the difference in transfer fee.
One for the club to ponder, although it’s still thought Varane is the first choice.
