Caro Ancelotti has made Real Madrid’s central defender Raphael Varane his key summer target, according to reports from AS and Le Perisien. Varane on numerous occassions has expressed his disappointment at not getting regular playing time first under Raphael Benitez and now under Zinedine Zidane.
Pepe and Sergio Ramos are the preferred centre-back pairing for Madrid and have been playing really well in recent months. It has not allowed Varane to break into the first team which Ancelotti is hoping to pounce on as he readies a €40m bid for the French star.
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Ancelotti worked with Varane durng his time at Real Madrid and is a big fan of the 23-year old’s ability to read the game and sense danger. That is why despite signing Mats Hummels this summer, Ancelotti is pushing for a deal to bring Varane to Allianz Arena.
Part of the reason for Ancelotti’s decision to sign Varane is Mehdi Benatia’s impending move to Juventus, as reported by Di Marzio. Like Varane, Benatia was done waiting as the third or fourth choice defender for Bayern and is prepeared to accept an offer from Juventus and move back to Serie A.
Ancelotti wants to fill that void by bringing in Varane but it will not be easy as Real Madrid are holding firm on any offer for the French International. It has been reported that Zidane has already rebuffed a couple of Premier League offers for Varane including Manchester United’s as he sees Varane as the future captain of Real Madrid.
It was Zidane who worked on a last-minute deal to bring Varane to Bernabeu back in 2011 after it seemed that the defender was on his way to Manchester United.
Real Madrid’s extensive squad overhaul
Another reason why Zidane would want to keep hold of Varane is the inevitable summer clear out that faces the club. Likes of Alvaro Morata, James Rodriguez, and Isco are all linked with a move away from the club thus it would not be a wise call to let Varane leave as well.
Pepe is already 33 and Sergio Ramos, 30, is not getting any younger. It is only matter of time before Varane gets his chance, all he needs at the moment is to have some patience. He is contracted with Los Blancos until 2020 and even if he were to leave, he will easily command a transfer fee in excess of €40million.
Bayern face an uphill task to sign Varane this summer but Ancelotti’s willingness and fond relationship with the player could eventually see this deal go through against all the odds.
