Man Utd set for Raphael Varane transfer duel with PSG as target heads for Real Madrid exit
Real Madrid already consider Man Utd target Raphael Varane an ex-player, according to reports in Spain.
Posted Friday, June 18, 2021 by Express.co.uk
The longtime Manchester United transfer target has reportedly turned down two fresh contract offers from Los Blancos, and the club now views him as an ex-player, with the Frenchman set to officially depart this summer.
Reports from Carrusel Deportivo state that Varane's response to being offered new deals at the Bernabeu was to ask about the makeup of the Madrid side in the seasons ahead.
But the Frenchman's apparent refusal to put pen to paper has been viewed as the player wanting to leave, and the club are looking at a future without Varane.
Real are well aware of the interest in Varane from both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, and may be prepared to sit back and let the two fellow European giants battle it out in a bidding war.
Man Utd set for Raphael Varane transfer battle with PSG as target heads for Real Madrid exit
United have already made an opening bid of £50million, but the La Liga side are holding out until someone meets their valuation of £80million for the player.
Varane's departure would mean Madrid lose two centre-backs from their squad this summer following the exit of Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, who ended his 16-year stint at the club earlier this week.
The 35-year-old is at the end of his contract at Madrid, and was understood to have been in negotiations over an extension, with new manager Carlo Ancelotti a known admirer of the Spaniard.
But the two parties were unable to agree terms, bringing Ramos’ 16-year stay at the club to an end.
Madrid have already partly addressed the situation by signing David Alaba from Bayern Munich, but are keen to maximise their return for Varana as they look to offset their huge debts, which are thought to stand at around £770million.
Real president Florentino Perez has already stated that the club will have to sell if they are to finance any major signings later in the summer.
And Kylian Mbappe is still a player of interest to the Bernabeu board, with PSG likely to demand a huge fee for the France forward.
However, both United and PSG find themselves in a game of cat-and-mouse with Madrid, with both interested clubs knowing that Varane is out of contract, and potentially available for free, next summer.
But they are also keen to ensure they secure their defensive target before their rival snaps him up first.
Varane is a key piece in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's summer transfer jigsaw, with the defender joining Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland on the Norwegian's transfer wish list.
And, with outgoing chief executive Ed Woodward said to be "playing poker" with Dortmund over a deal for Sancho, United are still to secure a major summer transfer target.
If United were to miss out on Varane, former United centre-back Rio Ferdinand said Solskjaer may find a suitable alternative at this summer's Euros.
Speaking to The Sun, the former England international explained that the opportunity is there for a defender currently in action at Euro 2020 to grab the attention and potentially land a big move to Old Trafford.
"Defence is the priority and what’s good about the Euros is there will be a good few centre-backs on show there," he said.
"It’s also about who is available. I went to the World Cup and got bought off the back of a good season but also playing at a major tournament.
"This is a great opportunity for someone else to put themselves in the shop window and be purchased by a big club.
"Manchester United are in the market for a centre-back so what an opportunity for someone."
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