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What's the rumour?
Manchester United have long been linked with a move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane and now latest reports from Don Balon via Manchester Evening News claim that the Premier League giants are ready to bid £70 million in order to sign the 25-year-old centre-back.
Varane has grown to become one of the key members of the Real Madrid squad and has formed a reliable partnership with captain Sergio Ramos at the heart of the defence. Still only 25, Varane definitely has the potential to become one of the world's best centre-backs in the future.
In case you didn't know...
Jose Mourinho, during his 3-year spell at Real Madrid, first signed Varane from Ligue 1 club Lens and even described him as the 'the best young defender in the world' in 2014. Initially playing as a backup to Pepe and Ramos, Varane has grown to become an integral part of Los Blancos and has made 39 appearances so far this season.
Blessed with good pace, athleticism, defensive skills, and ball playing ability, Varane is one of the most complete defenders in world football at the moment and Jose Mourinho will be hoping to reunite with the young Frenchman once again next season.
The heart of the matter
Although Manchester United finished 2nd in the Premier League this season, they have been nowhere near Pep Guardiola's champion Manchester City side. There is a growing belief that the United manager needs to sign some world class players to challenge for City for the title next season and a top quality player like Varane will certainly add depth and quality to the Manchester United squad.
According to reports, United are ready to offer Varane a huge contract in order to lure him to Old Trafford and it will be interesting to see if the move does indeed come to fruition in the summer transfer window.
Rumour rating/probability
4/10
Varane is one of Real Madrid's most important players at the moment and it looks highly unlikely that Los Blancos will agree to sell one of their prized assets in the summer transfer window.
Also, Don Balon is not the most reliable of sources and their reports should definitely be taken with a pinch of salt.
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Author's take
The likes of Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof have not had the best of seasons and should Varane be available in the summer transfer window, Manchester United should do everything in their power to complete the signing of the talented 25-year-old.
