Manchester United have made a £ 50m bid for Real Madrid center-back Raphael Varane, who has been heavily linked with a move from the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
United are looking for someone to work with Harry Maguire in the defense and have long had Varane in sight, and there is optimism that an agreement can finally be made this summer as the Frenchman only has one year left on his contract.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United have opened with a formal offer of £ 50 million, although Real have turned down the offer and are holding out close to £ 80 million.
United are reluctant to go much higher with their bid as Varane is on a term and would be available for free next summer.
Reports in recent months have suggested that Real are willing to sell Varane this summer before he can leave for free, although this stance has been complicated somewhat by the departure of Cerg full-back partner Sergio Ramos.
Ramo’s departure can complicate matters / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Shortly after the 35-year-old’s departure from the club was announced, it was suggested that Real be ready to pay to keep Varane at the Bernabeu, but whether that is really the case is currently unclear.
MEN state Varane is still for sale and El Larguero’s Manu Carreno says the same and insists that Real need the money and will make money on Varane if the right offer comes.
If Real stick to that price tag of £ 80 million, the right offer will never come. Varane may be an elite defender but he is also a 28-year-old with a valid contract, and the only club that would pay £ 80 million for him at this time is Real himself.
Fair value Varane to £ 80m / John Berry / Getty Images
Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with Varane, but the chances of this triggering a bidding war are quite slim if Real do not show any willingness to run from their price tag.
United are considering a handful of other goals in defense, with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Villarreal’s Pau Torres both younger options that could cost about £ 50m for Varane.
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!
