Real Madrid Transfers: Manchester United isn’t the only big club after Raphael Varane
Real Madrid center back Raphael Varane will have one year left on his contract after the 2020-2021 season concludes, so his career in Madrid may be at a crossroads this summer. Los Blancos will surely continue to negotiate with the French central defender, but if he does not want to stay, the club will be forced to sell him. Otherwise, he can walk for free after the 2021-2022 campaign.
Los Merengues are already in a bind with Sergio Ramos, whose contract ends after the 2020-2021 season. If Varane and Ramos were to leave, Real may have to sign another center back, even if Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao are strong options with David Alaba also set to join as a free-agent signing.
We’ve already seen reports linking Manchester United closely with a move for Varane, as they could use a star player next to Harry Maguire. But they are not the only major club in the Premier League interested in signing the 27-year-old.
According to a report from BILD’s Christian Falk, Chelsea are also interested in signing Raphael Varane. Manager Thomas Tuchel is said to be the one primarily interested in the player, and it seems like the Blues have every intention of supplying their big-name manager with the key players he needs to win every competition.
Chelsea are a serious threat to poach Raphael Varane from Real Madrid
Chelsea and Varane will get a good look at each other shortly, as Real Madrid and Chelsea are Champions League semifinal opponents this year. And although Real are favorites due to their experience, not much separates these teams. Chelsea made huge investments in the squad even before hiring Tuchel to replace Frank Lampard, as they signed Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy, Timo Werner, and Kai Havertz. The latter two were possible Real targets.
Varane would be a world-class signing for Chelsea, joining a defense with a few quality pieces but nobody who is elite and in the prime of their career like Varane. Imagine Chelsea’s defense if they were to sign Varane and keep Fikayo Tomori (impressing on loan with an option to buy at Milan) with Antonio Rudiger already establishing himself as a standout.
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Nobody knows what the future holds for Varane just yet, but Chelsea’s interest is yet another worry for Madridistas. They have a strong project under Tuchel and could provide an even more compelling pitch than the seemingly resurgent Red Devils.