Duncan Castles claims Spurs are exploring deal for Real Madrid star

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Real Madrid defender Rafael Varane, according to journalist Duncan Castles.

New Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is said to be concerned at the prospect of losing both of the club’s senior central defenders after club captain Sergio Ramos left to join Paris Saint-Germain.

It is claimed that Varane’s representatives have been in talks with Manchester United for the past three weeks, with Madrid chief Florentino Perez sceptical that the French international is holding out for a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Castles claimed during an appearance on the Transfer Window Podcast that the central defender has been offered a new deal with the Spanish giants that would see him pocket €7m (£6m) a year net in wages with Varane waiting until after Euro 2020 to reveal his decision after demanding €10m (£8.5m) a year net to bring him in line with the contract which David Alaba was given when he joined from Bayern Munich.

Madrid are said to have grown tired of the situation and are prepared to sell the 28-year-old rather than lose him for free in a year’s time, having set a €50m (£42m) valuation while Manchester United were prepared to offer €40m (£32m) to bring him to Old Trafford.

United face competition for his signature with Tottenham currently exploring the possibility of doing a deal.

SpursWeb Opinion

It would seem highly unlikely that Varane would be willing to swap Madrid for Tottenham given the fact that we cannot offer Champions League football or typically meet his wage demands.

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