Manchester United have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane after the Frenchman has rejected his club’s latest contract offer.
Varane, 28, has just 12-months left on his current deal and although he is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Europe, this summer could see the defender move on.
It is understood that both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils and Paris-Saint Germain are the two leading candidates to sign the Frenchman this summer.
However, according to a recent report from The Mirror, a move to Old Trafford is what Varane would prefer at this stage of his career.
The Mirror claim that Varane has rejected Real Madrid’s latest contract offer which will now prompt United to open talks with the player’s representatives.
In line with the disappointment of seeing the player turn their offer down, Real Madrid is understood to demand around £50m for the player – money that will be used to fund the potential transfer of Paris-Saint Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Read more: Man United willing to make Paul Pogba Premier League’s highest-paid-player
Raphael Varane’s purchase should be pursued and completed expeditiously, before more suitors join in the pursuit.