Raphael Varane available for cut-price summer price

As Real Madrid get set to make a huge list of changes to their first team, many veterans are being linked with the exit door. Academy talents like Lucas Vasquez are sure to move on, as are players like Nacho, Isco, and even Sergio Ramos. This will look to make room and space in the funds for a major summer signing, such as a star striker such as Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe. However, one player who is likely to be available for a good price in the summer is a much younger talent – Raphael Varane.

Arriving at Madrid as a precocious youngster, Varane has played a starring role in each of the great Madrid sides built under Zinedine Zidane. He is a regular for the club, and one of their most impressive performers until a staggering drop-off in 2021 left Varane looking a fraction of his former ability. However, at 27, the player has much time to get his career back on track. The problem for Madrid is, again, one of management. Varane’s deal runs out in 2022 and, with Madrid looking to cut costs, a new deal looks almost impossible.

Madrid, then, are keen to move on the centre-half in a bid to raise funds and reduce wages all at once. They would rather sell him for a cut-price deal in the summer of 2021 as opposed to another key player walking away for nothing in the summer of 2022. Pessimism abounds regarding Varane signing a new deal, and this means that an end-of-season exit is very much on the cards for a player who has served Madrid with distinction.

Who could sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid?

Several names are being suggested as potential buyers for the veteran, with Manchester United is known to be long-term fans. In fact, he rejected United to sign for Madrid in the first place – and it looks like the two superclubs could again do business in a face-saving deal on both sides. Madrid can recoup some of the money lost by letting Varane run his deal down and put that towards a blockbuster signing of their own.

United would get a top-bracket defender who appears to need a change of scenery; a key player in their prime who could line-up alongside Harry Maguire and give the Red Devils a bit of extra support at the back. As good a defender as is likely to be on the list in the summer, Varane would intrigue clubs from all over the world – clubs in Italy are reported to have an interest, too.

However, given the fee likely to be involved (even if reduced) and the wages required, it is likely that making a signing like Varane would become too much for most clubs. So, that likely leaves only English teams – such as United – with the attraction and the resources to give Varane a project worth signing up for. Could Varane, then, be one of many Madrid players to make their way out the door this summer?