Real Madrid will sell Raphael Varane this summer if he does not renew his contract. They know he'll be tough to replace but they cannot afford to lose him on a free in 2022.
The French defender, who will be 28 this April, is in his prime after arriving at the club in 2011. He has held together the defence in the absence of the injured Sergio Ramos, helping to keep them in the title race and making them favourites to go through in the Champions League.
He has even weighed in with two goals on the team's run of four wins and one draw in their last five games and he managed 74 accurate passes against Atalanta in that last-16 first leg.
But his contract runs out in 2022 and in the current climate it's unthinkable that he goes into a final year without having signed an extension. Manchester United are reportedly monitoring his developments closely with the defender valued at over £60m by Real.
Madrid are still hoping to dodge potential losses of £77.8million at the end of the season by negotiating an across-the-board pay cut. They were buoyed by LaLiga announcing their salary limit has gone up £4.3m but if they are to even come close to being able to put money behind bids for Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland they cannot afford their best players to leave for free.
The centre of Madrid's defence is a rollercoaster of possibilities at the moment. A few weeks back David Alaba looked signed and Sergio Ramos looked on his way out the door. In the last week the noises coming out of Madrid are that Ramos could yet do as he usually does and kiss and make up with the club to sign a two-year deal that keeps him at the Bernabeu until he retires.
Alaba's wage demands, meanwhile, remain a major barrier to him arriving at Madrid. The club are unwilling to match £13m-a-season deals being offered elsewhere. And all the while Ramos and Alaba are getting closer and further away, Madrid look as solid at the back as they have done since winning the league last season. That is, in part down to Nacho Fernandez, an unassuming club stalwart who has been outstanding since stepping in. It's also down to Varane's form.
But just as his performances have reminded Madrid how good he is they have also reminded them how he remains one of few players at the club they could monetise effectively.
It will be blow if they lose him. He's someone who feels almost like a one-club man despite hailing from Lille and starting out at Lens. Eyebrows were raised when Madrid paid £8.6m for him when he was only 17 years old and after he had only played 23 games for Lens.
But the club had been persuaded to gamble, and by none other than Zinedine Zidane.
It was the current Madrid coach who originally called Varane to tell him of Real's interest. 'Can you get back to me?' was the legendary answer down the phone.
He was studying for his exams at the time and was not sure he wanted the distraction, even if it was the greatest footballer in France's history on the end of the line.
He's been just as unflappable ever since and at the age of almost 28 he ought to be a future captain of Real Madrid with his best years still ahead of him. But these are strange times and his undoubted class will make him an easy player to sell next summer.
Madrid don't want to do it but if he doesn't sit down to sign a new deal, and one that reflects Madrid's dented revenue stream they will do it to avoid ending up with neither the player nor the fee he ought to raise.
Ultimately then it's down to him. Sir Alex Ferguson may well have ended up signing Varane had Zidane not succeeded in persuading him to join Madrid. The former France Under-19 team-mate of Paul Pogba has never regretted the way things turned out because he has won 18 trophies at Real Madrid. But the Premier League carrot has never been completely out of sight and now it's firmly back in view.
yutkmostz
0
Ronaldo has left and now Ramos, Varane, Kross are on the line to exit door. Its gonna be next season..
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Stfu you lost to Porto
fiudilmsu
0
we doesn't want this dustbin
it's not easy for 4 UCL and 1 WC and many other trophies besides Laliga and Club world Cup
Junnsuyz
0
legend
Junnsuyz
1
good
Jadbckst
0
n real madrid A/B
Etibaba
0
Tell Madrid that Man United don't want to buy Varane. Dude is as slow as Linderlof
Says alot about your footballing knowledge. Varane is one of the fastest CB in world football.
babafemi
1
for too long Sergio Ramos has hidden varanes flaws....varane isn't a confident defender, often confused when pressured by strikers...I beg to see a Ramos, Nacho partnership in defense.
Don Zayo
0
it will be a mistake to sign varane for 60mil+ worth. it will be a waste of money.better sign kounde/koulibaly for 60mil+ they can be a better choice as they are strong physically and faster than varane. just ny opinion.no -ve comment please
Kulibally is old
The_Red_Devil
0
it will be a mistake to sign varane for 60mil+ worth. it will be a waste of money.better sign kounde/koulibaly for 60mil+ they can be a better choice as they are strong physically and faster than varane. just ny opinion.no -ve comment please
Kounde has bad injury record
Crissi
0
Tell Madrid that Man United don't want to buy Varane. Dude is as slow as Linderlof
I’m guessing you’ve never watched him play before, he’s one of the fastest center backs in the world
The_Red_Devil
0
man united fans saying it would be a bad buy if they buy varane is stupid...with varane and maguire beside him there defence would be spot on...and it would be a plus for madrid too so they can some money for haaland and mbappe...and than alaba can play beside ramos so ramos has to sign new deal if varane goes
Madrid cannot afford losing both ramos and varane at same time. That would be season ending move despite alaba in.
The_Red_Devil
0
Tell Madrid that Man United don't want to buy Varane. Dude is as slow as Linderlof
Nah. He is not faster than bailly.
The_Red_Devil
0
Tottenham should go for Varane
Hahahah. Swap deal with your new stadium? Good performance last night btw.
GOAT-Seven
0
Ronaldo has left and now Ramos, Varane, Kross are on the line to exit door. Its gonna be next season..
rmadna
0
we doesn't want this dustbin
Yeah this dustbin had 4 UCL 1WC by the age of 25
libmouy
0
Tell Madrid that Man United don't want to buy Varane. Dude is as slow as Linderlof
He is faster then all of Man U center back.
RealMadrid787
0
keep him plz. sign a contract along with ramos
RealMadrid787
0
Tottenham should go for Varane
they can't afford him
jaabeikloz
1
we doesn't want this dustbin
Raajjjjjjjjjjj
0
He has scored 2 own goals, you’re dumb if you think Varane is a bad defender
just ignore him
Rav_Brar
1
Tottenham should go for Varane
Correctguy
3
Tell Madrid that Man United don't want to buy Varane. Dude is as slow as Linderlof
Messi_the__Goat
1
He has scored 2 own goals, you’re dumb if you think Varane is a bad defender
Erick is better than Varane
Jiwcloruy
1
haha, you want us to sign own Goal scorer right see how cute you a
He has scored 2 own goals, you’re dumb if you think Varane is a bad defender
Akekala
4
Journos and Agents trying very hard to make this a viable story but truth be told, it ain't carrying the heavg impact they were expecting.👌
Messi_the__Goat
2
man united fans saying it would be a bad buy if they buy varane is stupid...with varane and maguire beside him there defence would be spot on...and it would be a plus for madrid too so they can some money for haaland and mbappe...and than alaba can play beside ramos so ramos has to sign new deal if varane goes
haha, you want us to sign own Goal scorer right see how cute you a
lislopuy
1
man united fans saying it would be a bad buy if they buy varane is stupid...with varane and maguire beside him there defence would be spot on...and it would be a plus for madrid too so they can some money for haaland and mbappe...and than alaba can play beside ramos so ramos has to sign new deal if varane goes
AkmalKabeer
0
RUMORSTER UNITED FC ARE BACK WITH A BANG WITH ANOTHER RUMOR
TheeUnitedFan
0
yeah 😂😂
C'mon dude. It's not our fault. Media uses Man United name to get a lotta money as there's lots of Man United fans on social media.
realEddy
1
varane is a great defender and has earned the respect of everyone in the world but it would be quite careless to just about throw everything out through the window after all this years because the way i see it, if i were him, i would think I've enjoyed life at Madrid and won all there is to win and then try to complete the legacy by finishing at the club. it's up to him but personally i would like him to stay longer at real, his position in the defence can determine Madrid domination in la Liga for the next five years, because after ramos he is the next best defender of Madrid for all time
hanbmnor
0
better buy young defender
Pidcdenuz
4
Combination of Varane and Maguire will turn Man United into Error United
Unitedforlife6
1
If pogba doesn't sign and Varane doesn't sign then let's swap...both players are excellent but always have some mistake in them...it would be fair
Ngachon
2
it will be a mistake to sign varane for 60mil+ worth. it will be a waste of money.better sign kounde/koulibaly for 60mil+ they can be a better choice as they are strong physically and faster than varane. just ny opinion.no -ve comment please
ASIFSADIK
0
🐸🐸
Abdullahjalloh
1
To be honest,Madrid haven't given Varane much credit for his work instead he was scrutinized more often than appreciated. I think its fair if he leaves because everyone wants to be loved and appreciated.However,at Madrid you are judged by your daily performances and I think we need to start appreciating the little things because sometimes you won't know the importance of a thing until you lose it.
Anish Dhume
1
man utd after every transfer news becomes rumour..
SUDESHMANUTD
1
Papa Perez : Take my horse to the Sold Town Road, I'm gonna ride 'til I can't sell more
SkiideuG
0
Players like Varane and Ramos, Real Madrid shouldn't be hesitating to renew their contract. They should be doing that in the blink of an eye. These are players that Real Madrid needs.
As much as that sounds true, it's not always the fact. The club does not want to enter debt because of any single player. that is a rabbit hole that is difficult to come out of. Ask Barca. So, the players should be considerate in these kind of times. Buying a proven world class player up front is necessary for the team. Look at our attack. The players know this also. They shouldn't use that as a yardstick to leverage for better pay. If we already had a top forward ,we won't be buying. Haha Madrid
D10S_LM10
0
Ramos has hardly played this season lmao. Varane has been the captain for almost a month now, conceded only 2 goals in 7 matches and scored 2 himself to guarantee Madrid's 3 points
If you guys are happy than must keep him 👍🏻
D10S_LM10
0
Ramos has hardly played this season lmao. Varane has been the captain for almost a month now, conceded only 2 goals in 7 matches and scored 2 himself to guarantee Madrid's 3 points
Not talking about one season but anyways who cares..
AkshitAnand
0
Who cares.. Even Madrid fans know how 💩 he is.. It's due to Ramos, Varane mistakes are hidden..
Ramos has hardly played this season lmao. Varane has been the captain for almost a month now, conceded only 2 goals in 7 matches and scored 2 himself to guarantee Madrid's 3 points
Eriq
2
How I wish to see RM in the next two seasons
D10S_LM10
0
Calm down mate he ain't talking about Pique, the goat of own goals
Who cares.. Even Madrid fans know how 💩 he is.. It's due to Ramos, Varane mistakes are hidden..
jesalam14
0
sorry guys I don't think hes going to leave
Yepbdekms
1
I prefer Ramos
maxm70
3
Players like Varane and Ramos, Real Madrid shouldn't be hesitating to renew their contract. They should be doing that in the blink of an eye. These are players that Real Madrid needs.
WamboéCotah
0
stop using man U name. kak
True bro
AkshitAnand
0
Killed it..
Calm down mate he ain't talking about Pique, the goat of own goals
AkshitAnand
0
so he can score more own goals 🤔. No thank you
Don't know why my comment got deleted but nevermind