Manchester United have been handed a huge boost in their hopes land Raphael Varane after Real Madrid took a decision that could affect his future at the club. According to reports from the French media last week, the World Cup winner is looking for a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu because he wants a new challenge.
However, while on international duty last week, Varane denied those rumours, stating he is happy at the club and he is not looking for a new challenge. “To say that I am not happy at Real Madrid is not true,” he told the French press after helping his country to a 4-1 victory over Moldova.
“I’m at Real Madrid – the biggest club in the world. I’m constantly in a state of challenging myself because the requirement here is that of the highest level.
“I’m focused on my career. We had a tough time in the middle of the season where we had to fight. “I’ve given my all in this shirt and I can be proud of that. “I cannot control everything that’s said [in the media]. Many things aren’t right but I can’t say I’m unhappy in Madrid.”
Nevertheless, there have been suggestions that Varane may have employed the tactics so as to get a new improved contract from the website. However, according to French publication L’Equipe, Madrid are not thinking of offering the World Cup winner an improved contract because his current deal does not expire until the year 2022.
This has led to speculations Manchester United could be set to take advantage of the situation by making a move for Varane though they will face competition from Italian Champions Juventus.
Varane joined Real Madrid in 2011 and has been a revelation since he made the move. He has won four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles and two Copa Del Rey since he joined.
Losing him will be a big blow to Zinedine Zidane’s plan to rebuild an ailing Madrid squad. The former French international is back in his second spell as Madrid’s manager and has been tasked with rebuilding a squad that have failed woefully this season.
The Los Blancos champions league defence was ended by Dutch side Ajax while they were also knocked out of the Copa Del Rey by arch-rivals Barcelona. They are also out of the La Liga title race this season.
Therefore, it will be a big blow to Zidane’s hopes if he is to lose Varane. As such, it will be interesting to see what next for Los Blancos, particularly with Zidane prioritising an overhaul of an ageing side, and with him counting on Varane as one of the side’s mainstays.