Real Madrid need to sign another centre-back following David Alaba's season-ending ACL injury. It is possible that they could continue to rely on the options they have, but that would not be ideal and would make Carlo Ancelotti's job a lot harder than it already is. Antonio Rudiger and Nacho are the only two recognised centre-backs who are fit right now.
There have been conflicting rumours about Real Madrid's plans for January. Some have suggested that they are searching for another centre-back. Others believe that the club will stick with the current options and not make any signing in the middle of the season.
One of the players who has been heavily linked with a return to Real Madrid lately is Raphael Varane. The Frenchman has not been a regular starter in Erik Ten Hag's team this season despite their constant struggles.
So, could Varane end up making a potential return to Real Madrid, with the club in need of a centre-back? Some of his past comments about the possibilty of such a move have reemerged amid the recent links.
Varane's old comments about Real Madrid return emerge
As reported by the Mirror, Varane said while speaking to the French edition of the GQ Magazine earlier this year:
"I will finish my career either in Madrid, or in Manchester, or in Lens. I will not move to another club [other than those].
"But Madrid seems complicated to me. Players don’t usually go back there. The most likely outcome today is that I will finish [my club career] in either Manchester or Lens."
Of course, Varane's situation at Manchester United has changed since then. Now, he might have to consider the idea of leaving and potentially joining another club. Bayern Munich are another team rumoured to hold an interest in the Frenchman.
It must be pointed out though that Varane has played a few games recently and they have produced positive results as well. A 0-0 draw away at Anfield against Liverpool and a comeback 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Let's see if that translates into more opportunities for the French World Cup winner moving forward.