Chelsea Favorite To Sign $85M Defender Who Is Manchester United’s Target Since 2011

Chelsea are reportedly ahead in the race to sign Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane amid interest from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Real Madrid have labeled Varane at around $85 million ahead of the 2021 summer. Chelsea are willing to pay so much for the center-back, who is wanted by head coach Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo reported.

Los Blancos are understood to have offered a lower proposal to Varane, who is contracted with the La Liga giants until 2022. The Spanish defender, who wanted to leave Santiago Bernabeu in 2019, has finally decided to part ways after being associated with the club for a decade.

Manchester United, who are very interested in signing Varane, had missed out on the talented defender twice in the past. In 2011, the Old Trafford side was beaten by Real Madrid to sign Varane from Ligue 1 club Lens. Two years back, when Varane wanted to leave Santiago Bernabeu, Manchester United were once again the favorite to sign the center-back, according to the soccer website Sportslens. Unfortunately, the player had decided to stay on in Madrid.

Having made 357 competitive appearances for Real Madrid over the years, Varane has established himself as an undisputed starter for the club. While he has netted 17 goals in the process, he has also been a part of very successful Real Madrid era, having won four Champions League titles, four Club World Cup trophies, three European Super Cups, three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups.

Even though Varane’s addition would only bolster Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, the club would be hesitant to match the player’s asking price of $85 million.

Last summer, Chelsea spent around $313 million at the transfer window and it is believed that the Blues’ management would go all out to back Tuchel’s transfer demands.

With 58 points after 33 matches, Chelsea are placed fourth in the 2020-21 Premier League table. Second-placed Manchester United are 10 points behind leaders City in the league race.