Despite all the ongoing links to Raphael Varane, Manchester United fans have had little faith a deal will get done.
Supporters have long been suspicious that the saga will end up with Varane signing a new contract with Real Madrid.
Now Marca report Real have made a last-ditch pitch to get Varane to try and sign a new deal.
Real are awaiting Varane’s response and this one looks like it may take a while to play out.
Varane reportedly has set aside all talk over his future until after Euro 2020. France are among the favourites and could reach the final, meaning he will not give Real Madrid his answer until mid-July.
Varane’s situation: A refresher
Varane has just one year remaining on his contract at Real Madrid. The Spanish side will be reluctant to lose him for nothing.
They are already set to lose Sergio Ramos who will become a free agent at the end of this month. This will make them even more determined to renew Varane’s deal, and this will be reflected in their financial offer to him.
Real recently re-appointed Carlo Ancelotti, who has managed Varane before. They had a mixed time together previously, but their time together certainly helps Madrid’s cause.
David Alaba has signed with Real and Varane may be tempted to stick around and form a partnership with the multiple time Bundesliga winner.
Varane recently turned 28 and his next decision is a key one in his career, whether he ends up pretty much staying at Real for the rest of it, or trying a new challenge.
Can United afford to wait?
The Athletic reported last week that Varane is United’s preferred transfer target in central defence.
However there are concerns that Real are looking for too high an asking price for a player with one year left of his contract, above £40 million.
With Varane only looking at deciding his future after the Euros, United may not want to wait that long.
Lille defender Sven Botman has no involvement at the Euros, he was with Netherlands’ under-21s instead, while Sergio Ramos could still be a left-field option on a free transfer if United want to spend transfer fees in other areas.
It does seem that United’s transfer business is going to drag out as usual this summer, so Varane’s decision – one way or another may fit into the club’s timeframe.
The concern is that United wait until mid-July only for Varane to do the inevitable and renew with Real Madrid. And then the club’s centre-back chase will be back at square one with half of the transfer window gone.
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