Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is keen to seek a move away from the club this summer in a major boost to Manchester United’s hopes of signing him.
That’s according to AS, who say the French defender is ‘in favour’ of finding a new club and that will ‘probably be in the Premier League’.
Varane is currently in the final year of his contract, which is set to expire in 2022, and so far has failed to agree a new deal at the Bernabeu.
He has subsequently been linked with a move away, and Manchester United are thought to be keen, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking to add a centre back to his squad this summer.
The Frenchman has been named as the dream signing in England nad their interest has been backed up in Spain, where it has been stated they ‘will not hesitate’ to make the move if Varane becomes available.
They may now be tempted to do with AS reporting that all indications are that he will be leaving Spain in the summer.
They report Varane ‘seriously values the option of requesting a transfer’, a situation that is not new to the club as he made a similar request back in 2019.
At that point, Zinedine Zidane’s return changed his mind, but this time around, the defender has an ace up his sleeve, the fact he could leave on a free next season.
Real Madrid have been made aware of this by his entourage, who have told them their intention at this moment in time is to listen to offers when the season ends.
They believe the situation is difficult to turn around because it has nothing to do with economics but the player’s own desires, with him believing that at 28, now is the time to try a different experience.
Signing a new deal in Madrid would essentially end his chances of ‘trying another league in the prime of his career’, and that is something he wants to avoid.
Madrid are confident they can convince the player to change his mind but have decided that if the defender tells them he does not want to continue, they will listen to offers for him.
Indeed, they have already drawn up a list of possible replacements.
The decision rests solely with Varane, then, but if Manchester United are as seriously interested as it’s been claimed they are, this could be their best chance of getting a deal over the line.
