Real Madrid could be headed for some turnover at the center back position this summer. The legendary partnership of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos, which dominated the Champions League for years, could be headed for a breakup. Either Ramos will leave as a free agent, Varane will be sold with one year left on his contract if he does not re-sign, or both world-class central defenders will leave Madrid this summer.
Los Blancos should be able to survive this situation due to the emergence of Eder Militao, the resurgence of Nacho Fernandez, and the expected addition of David Alaba. But it will still hurt to see either Ramos or Varane go.
Varane should be coveted by many big clubs around Europe if he is available. Let’s take a look at three teams that will most likely try to pry the French international away from Real Madrid.
Chelsea
Let’s begin with the Blues, who knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League without even having to face Raphael Varane in the elimination match. Chelsea shouldn’t be desperate for a center back, since Thiago Silva has been a very good veteran for them and both Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger are good center backs. The latter has been particularly excellent. Even Andrea Christensen has looked good under Thomas Tuchel Plus, Fikayo Tomori could return if Milan cannot scrounge up the money to make his loan deal permanent.
But Chelsea have huge ambitions and have been tracking Varane for a while. They know that this is their chance to sign one of the best center backs in the world. Last season, Chelsea showed their ambition, opening Roman Abramovich’s pocketbooks to sign the trio of Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, and Timo Werner to bolster their attack.
Now, it’s time to invest in the defense. The Blues may want to sign someone world-class. They have some solid pieces, but Varane would put the Champions League finalists over the top.