Real Madrid Transfers: Troubling early update on Raphael Varane
As Real Madrid fans continue to be engrossed by the contract discussions between Los Blancos and captain Sergio Ramos, they are also keeping one eye on the future. His center back partner Raphael Varane, who is an elite player in his own right, will finish up his contract with Madrid at the end of the 2021-2022 season.
Therefore, there has been speculation of a swoop from PSG or Manchester United this summer, in the case that Real cannot extend Varane’s contract. There is a worry that the French international does not wish to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu and would like to pursue a new challenge, whether in the Premier League or elsewhere.
According to a report from Tomas Gonzalez-Martin of ABC Deportes, Raphael Varane’s agency CAA Base has not shown any “signs” of wanting a new contract and are apparently requesting more money in a deal.
Gonzalez-Martin reports that Los Blancos have offered Varane an extension through 2025-2026 (four extra years on top of the remaining year). The first year of this extension would have a wage cut similar to what Real request from every player right now. But Varane reportedly has not responded to this offer.
Real Madrid reportedly want 70 million euros for Raphael Varane
It all seems a little bit troubling early on, since Varane is such a valuable player and Madridistas want him secured at pretty much any reasonable cost. He is in the prime of his career and has accomplished more than any other center back to this point in his career.
In the case that Real Madrid cannot keep him, Gonzalez-Martin reports that they would want 70 million euros in a transfer. If that seems low to you and like Varane is worth more, then I would agree with you. But we have to remember that Varane would have one year left on his deal, Real would have no real leverage, and the pandemic has reduced the fees we are used to seeing.
Hopefully it doesn’t come down to that. Real Madrid would be able to replace Varane with someone like Pau Torres or even Jules Kounde, but it’s certainly not ideal to have to replace someone as proven as Varane.
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It’s important to take the information into context, though. We are in April in the middle of a title race and heated Champions League campaign. Real Madrid are fighting for trophies, and that is probably Varane’s main focus. There should be urgency from the club in getting an extension done, yes, but fans do not have to panic for now.