Real Madrid: Varane a PSG target
Paris Saint-Germain have joined a growing list of suitors for Raphaël Varane, who appears set on leaving Real Madrid this summer.
A raft of potential buyers are emerging in the wake of Raphaël Varane's apparent decision to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, with Paris Saint-Germain the latest club to join the race to secure the France defender's signature.
Varane earmarked as long-term Silva replacement at PSG
Varane is understood to have become a priority target for the Ligue 1 champions as they prepare to replace veteran captain Thiago Silva, who is in his seventh season in Paris and will be 35 when his current contract expires in June 2020.
Juventus, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also thought to be eyeing Varane, whose prohibitive 500-million-euro release clause means any suitors will have to attempt to negotiate a more affordable fee with Madrid.
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Speaking on Tuesday, Zinedine Zidane appeared to play down talk of the World Cup winner departing in the coming transfer window, declaring: "He's been here for eight years, and he's doing well. He seems fine to me. He hasn't said anything about wanting to leave."
Koulibaly, Giménez tipped to replace Varane at Madrid
Behind the scenes, however, Madrid are believed to be preparing the ground to replace the player. As was revealed by AS last Friday, Zidane's preferred option to fill the 25-year-old's shoes is Napoli's Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly.
Atlético Madrid's José María Giménez is also attracting Los Blancos' interest, with club president Florentino Pérez a firm admirer of the Uruguayan.