Real Madrid center back Raphael Varane appears to be close to a move to Manchester United, who have shown interest in the French defender since news first emerged that the star man could be leaving the club this summer with one year left on his contract.
While that transfer situation remains fluid, Los Blancos have been linked with a Premier League center back in a touted young French central defender, Wesley Fofana. Thus Fofana joins a list of promising center backs who have been linked to Real, which includes Pau Torres of Villarreal and Jules Kounde of Sevilla.
Both LaLiga center backs have release clauses exceeding 60 million euros and would both cost a minimum of 50 million euros, with Kounde likely going for more despite an underwhelming Euro 2020 campaign.
Kounde has largely been viewed as the dream option at center back for Real Madrid if Los Blancos were to replace Varane with a young center back. But the problem is with money drying up and funds already committed to defender David Alaba’s salary, Real Madrid are highly unlikely to sign any center backs. If they could not agree to Sergio Ramos’ contract after already committing funds to Alaba, then why would they then spend more money in a transfer fee to acquire a center back?
Real Madrid probably won’t sign any center backs
That’s why it is just about impossible to envision Los Blancos signing Fofana. He is coming off the best season of his career to this point for Leicester City. Just 20 years old, Fofana averaged at least two interceptions per game for both Saint-Etienne and the Foxes last season, according to WhoScored.com, and he is a decent enough passer.
But is Fofana better or more proven than Kounde or Torres, who are Europa League winners and known commodities in LaLiga? Fofana would also cost upwards of 50 million euros, and we all know how good Leicester City are at selling players for top dollar. With a need to finally qualify for the Champions League and send their club to another level, they are also even less inclined to sell an important player than either Villarreal or Sevilla.
Consider a move for Fofana extremely unlikely, perhaps even moreso than either of the young central defenders plying their trade in Spain’s top flight. Fofana is comparable to Torres in quality – and arguably better – but Real Madrid really don’t seem to be in a position to go with either.
Pay this transfer rumor little attention. Real are fully expected to move into next season with Eder Militao, Nacho Fernandez, Alaba, and maybe Victor Chust or Pablo Ramon as their four center back options, unless they can squeeze enough money for a budget option that becomes available.