Real Madrid are believed to have opened talks with Raphael Varane over a new contract, but will still consider reasonable offers that arrive for the centre-back as they look to fund a summer rebuild.
Los Blancos have already lost one key centre-back with Sergio Ramos set to walk away when his current deal expires. The 36-year-old will bring 15 years at the Bernabeu to an end, after the club refused to meet his wage demands or offer him a two-year deal.
The arrival of David Alaba from Bayern Munich will ease that blow, but it remains to be seen who will be there to partner the Austrian when he reports for training after the Euros.
Varane's contract is due to expire in 2022, and with the futures of Ramos, Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez now resolved one way or another, reports suggest they have turned their attentions to him. The Times say extending his deal has become one of their priorities, and they want to tie him down to partner Alaba for the long-term.
Reports in Spain are singing a slightly different tune, however. AS say that while the club are proceeding with contract talks, they remain on the fence with Varane, and would consider any offers north of €60m for his services.
Gracias, leyenda.https://t.co/NDH0z1Wack pic.twitter.com/jowin0tdfp
— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) June 17, 2021
Manchester United are one of the main contenders to sign Varane if he does intend to leave, and they could take advantage of his reluctance to pen the offer currently on the table. Varane, now 28, is aware the next contract he signs may be his last big one, so wants a lucrative long-term deal.
Real have so far offered a two-year contract which falls some way short of his demands, while Varane's wage demands have also proved too steep for the Spanish champions.
They haven't given up on finding a compromise, but in any case, news that talks are ongoing is far from definitive proof that he will stay put.
Source: 90min
