Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal eyes move for unsettled Real Madrid Raphael Varane
Posted Thursday, November 27, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is considering a shock swoop for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
Van Gaal is keen to bolster his defensive options in the January transfer window and has put the France international on his wanted list.
United's first choice target remains former favourite Gerard Pique, but the Barcelona star is reluctant to leave the Nou Camp - even for his old club.
Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar is also on Van Gaal's radar but the Holland international has suffered injuries this season and there are doubts about his long term fitness.
Now Van Gaal could turn to Varane after the centre back hinted he is unsettled at the European champions.
Varane, 21, is regarded as one of the finest defenders in Europe but has struggled to secure regular football for Carlo Ancelotti's men.
He has found himself behind both Sergio Ramos and Pepe in the pecking order and admits the situation is frustrating.
FRUSTRATED: Raphael Varane has struggled for regular first-team football at Real Madrid
He said: "It's different with the national team. I get more minutes and have more responsibility in the team. The aim is to reach the same level of involvement in the club."
Van Gaal could guarantee Varane a starting place at Old Trafford, but it remains to be seen if United would be willing to meet Real's asking price of around £30m.
Meanwhile, Van Gaal has been given a much-needed boost with the news Jonny Evans could be set for a return to the first team.
The Northern Ireland defender has been out of action since damaging his ankle in September and has been a big miss for Van Gaal.
But he stepped up his recovery with a 64-minute run out for United's reserves against Blackburn on Tuesday night and came through unscathed.
Van Gaal has been without fellow defenders Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Rafael in recent weeks and will be desperate for Evans to return to the first team fold.
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