All the indicators are that this will be a busy summer at Real Madrid with Zinedine Zidane keen to offload a host of players to fund a spending spree. They are keen to sell the likes of Gareth Bale, who has been linked with a return to the Premier League. However one man they are reluctant to let go is Raphael Varane but the Frenchman has reportedly dropped a bombshell this week by telling the club he wants to move on this summer.

Those reports will certainly have alerted a host of Europe’s biggest clubs with the French World Cup winner one of the best centre-backs in the world. He made a slightly dodgy start to this season, much-like many of his teammates in truth, with fatigue from his adventures in Russia playing a part. However performances such as a colossal display from Varane in the Semi-Final win over Belgium were vital in France’s ability to win the World Cup and have underlined his ability to deliver at the very highest level.

In addition to that, Varane has amassed an incredible 16 clubs trophies including 4 Champions League wins to leave him with a CV that is truly extraordinary for a 25 year old. Heading into the peak of his career, Varane is certainly one of the most valuable players in this Real Madrid squad. While they may be reluctant sellers, if a big bid comes in, they may be tempted to move Varane on as they will need to raise funds quickly if they are going to be capable of signing at least one Galactico this summer.

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Let’s take a closer look at some of the clubs thought to be in the running for Varane’s signature this summer:

Manchester United – 5/2

Raphael Varane is thinking about leaving Real Madrid — and that has put Manchester United on alert#TransferTalk: https://t.co/o6Q1bAXDky pic.twitter.com/REYZZlrMY0

— ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) April 2, 2019

It’s getting to that time of year when Manchester United are linked with a move for just about every major player in Europe who may or may not even be available. Most links fail to materialise into anything substantial but Varane does seem like a very good fit for the Old Trafford club and it’s hard to see why they wouldn’t be interested were he to become available.

There is a relative lack of world class centre-backs around and it’s no secret that United are likely to strengthen in that area this summer. Rumoured target Matthijs de Ligt is believed to have already agreed a move to Barcelona and at 19, there’s no guarantee he would have been able to come in and immediately improve this United defence in any case.

Varane though has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League and is capable of coming in and spearheading Manchester United’s defensive effort next season and beyond. Not since Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have the Red Devils had a centre-back of such pedigree.

He could also potentially be used by Madrid in a possible part-exchange bid for Paul Pogba. However it is essential that United manage to secure Champions League football if they are going to be able to compete with the likes of PSG and Juventus for his signature.

Read our Premier League Top 4 Betting Tips and Predictions for more on this.

PSG – 17/2

¡VARANE SALDRÍA DEL REAL MADRID!

Según medios españoles, el defensa central francés habría pedido al club merengue la salida del club, se habla de ofertas del Manchester United y el PSG. pic.twitter.com/HZ0YVreuPv

— FAN10 ⚽️ (@SoyFan10) April 1, 2019

PSG are another club who would certainly consider a move for Varane. Adding a French World Cup winner to their ranks would be a real coup for the Ligue 1 club who would most likely relish the chance to add some more homegrown talent to their ranks.

The timing would also appear to make sense with regular centre-back Thiago Silva heading into the twilight years of his career. The Brazilian will turn 35 later this year and Raphael Varane is perhaps the best option out there in terms of finding someone to come in and slot straight into the heart of the PSG back three. The French champions are also desperate to find a winning formula in Europe and adding a four-time Champions League winner to their back-line would do no harm.

There is likely to be some transfer dialogue between PSG and Real Madrid anyway this summer. Los Blancos are desperate to land a true Galactico such as Neymar or Mbappé but unless Financial Fair Play intervene, they will have a hard time convincing PSG to sell. Varane would at least be a very useful carrot to dangle in front of them.

However Varane may be somewhat reluctant to go and play in Ligue 1 and be a virtual spectator in some games with PSG a class above everyone else in that league.

Keep tabs on the latest matches and betting tips in Ligue 1 here.

Liverpool – 20/1

Liverpool are something of an outside shot at 20/1 to sign Varane this summer. They already have arguably the best centre-back in the world in the shape of Virgil van Dijk. Joe Gomez has impressed alongside him at times but there is still a consensus that Jurgen Klopp will be looking to sign another centre-back this summer.

Going for Varane would be a real statement of intent and an indicator that Liverpool are now back amongst the big players in European football when it comes to competing for the top players. It would also ease those current fears that an injury to van Dijk would leave them badly exposed at the back again. However overall, a move looks doubtful for a number of reasons.

For starters, Liverpool are likely to be much more eager to improve other areas of the team this summer with the midfield perhaps a bigger priority than a big money centre-back. Defenders may well come in but they are likely to be of the squad player variety with the Reds already boasting the best defence in the Premier League this term.

Varane won’t be available on the cheap and they may need to match or even exceed the £75 million they paid for Van Dijk in January of last year. Paying a similar figure for a player in the same position just a year and a half later seems unlikely even though a potential centre-back pairing of Van Dijk and Varane would be a fearsome pairing for any team to try and break down.