Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly prepared to double the wages of Raphael Varane, who could leave Real Madrid this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Raphael Varane is set to be offered a deal worth €12 million per year by Chelsea and Manchester United. The French defender is expected to leave Real Madrid in the summer transfer window and is priced at around €70 million.
Varane has already enjoyed one of the most illustrious careers in the history of the game, having won every single trophy at club level with Real Madrid, at least twice, while also winning the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018. In the decade that he has been with Los Blancos, the 28-year-old has also established himself as one of the best defenders in the world.
Till date, Varane has amassed 360 appearances for Real Madrid, even chipping in with 17 goals and 7 assists along the way. However, heading into the summer transfer window, the player’s future is as uncertain as it has ever been since he arrived at the club. Tipped to leave Real Madrid now, the French international has no shortage of suitors either, with Chelsea and Manchester United among those in his pursuit.
Chelsea are coming off a successful 2020/21 campaign, having lifted the UEFA Champions League this past weekend. However, in order to compete on all four fronts next season, the Blues need to continue fine-tuning the squad, with defence one of the areas that could be addressed, seeing as Thiago Silva is in the final stages of his career while captain Cesar Azpilicueta is also in his thirties.
To that end, Varane has emerged as a viable target for Chelsea, who are even prepared to meet the €70 million valuation that Real Madrid have placed on him. Manchester United, on the other hand, hold a long-standing interest in Varane, having made previous attempts to sign him as well.
Heading into the summer transfer window, the Red Devils need a long-term partner for captain Harry Maguire, with neither Victor Lindelof nor Eric Bailly impressing enough over the course of the campaign while also being bogged down by fitness issues. To that end, the keenness to sign the French defender is understandable, with Manchester United even in advanced talks with him.
Now, Chelsea and Manchester United are prepared to step up their efforts to sign Varane, with both the Premier League giants preparing a double-your-pay contract for him, possibly taking his current €6 million per year wages to €12 million. Real Madrid, on their part, are prepared to let go of the 28-year-old, but will be adamant on their €70 million valuation.
As things stand, everything points towards the prospect of Varane making his way out of Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, with the Merengues already signing a potential replacement in David Alaba. With both Chelsea and Manchester United ready to double his wages to €12 million per year, it will be interesting to see which project Varane chooses this summer.