- Manchester United are keen to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid
- Jose Mourinho wants the defender as part of any Paul Pogba transfer deal
- Mourinho is a long-time admirer of the French centre-back
- READ MORE: Chelsea lead Manchester United in transfer battle for want-away goal machine
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly requested the signing of Raphael Varane in any transfer deal involving Paul Pogba moving to Real Madrid.
News of this surprise swap deal comes from Spanish outlet Don Balon, who suggest Mourinho is eager to take this chance to land a player he’s been interested in for the last few years.
This seems far from ideal, however, as United would surely need a big-name signing in midfield to replace Pogba if he were to leave for the Bernabeu this summer.
Don Balon previously claimed United could try a swap deal with Madrid involving midfielder Toni Kroos, which seems a far more obvious like-for-like exchange.
The Independent have recently reported that Kroos is a top target for United, though the Daily Mirror have since claimed the club are looking at Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Jorginho and Jean Seri as priorities.
It could be then that Mourinho fancies a move for Varane to strengthen his defence and has other plans in place to replace Pogba in midfield rather than raiding Real Madrid for any of their potential cast-offs.
The Red Devils do look in need of signings at the back as well due to the poor recent form of Chris Smalling and others, and Varane seems an ideal candidate.