Manchester United Transfer News: Raphael Varane, Paulo Dybala Rumours Heat Up

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal may be interested to hear Raphael Varane is reportedly "unsettled" at Real Madrid.

That's according to John Cross of the Mirror, who also suggests the French centre-back is one of Jose Mourinho's "top defensive targets" at Chelsea. In ESPN FC's coverage of the story, it is noted that both managers are "keen to bring in the Los Blancos starlet to build the next generation of their defence around."

Varane is exactly the type of defender Van Gaal should be targeting. Comfortable on the ball and an excellent reader of the game, the 21-year-old is one of the sport's most promising prospects. He's already a Champions League winner, someone who performed admirably at the 2014 World Cup and is proven against the best. All Varane needs now is regular game time.

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Pepe's recent injury problems have afforded Varane 17 starts in all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com. He drops back out of the team when his Portuguese colleague and Sergio Ramos are fit, however. This could be extremely frustrating for a player who would walk straight into most of the world's top starting lineups.

Mourinho, who signed Varane to the Bernabeu during his tenure in the Spanish capital, is publicly known to adore the youngster's ability. When speaking about Kurt Zouma's ascension to the Blues' first-team during a recent press conference, Mourinho patted himself on the back for supposedly unearthing two future greats, reported by Ben Jefferson of the Express:

"

I think the French Federation should write me a letter to thank me because I think they have now the best two young central defenders in the world. I’m not saying the best because there are young, there are obviously end products, mature players 24, 25, 28, 30-year’s-old.

But as young defenders can you imagine what Varane and Zouma can represent in football in a couple of years.

"

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If Van Gaal's reported interest becomes concrete, one has to wonder whether he can lure Varane away from Mourinho's grip.

A similar battle could ensue for Palermo striker Paulo Dybala, who continues to be linked with just about every major club who have cash to spend. Arsenal have reportedly moved a step closer to capturing the creative Argentinian, per Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports:

Serie A side Napoli have also been touted with an ambitious swoop, but Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini suggests no Italian club can afford the striker, per talkSPORT:

"

His future? The problem is not the boy but his agents. I am sorry for this. I've been to London and I have received calls from all over Europe. I would be happy Napoli bought him, but I don't think he is within their reach. Dybala is out of reach of all Italian companies.

"

United and Chelsea are also monitoring the player, according to Jack Wilson of the Daily Star, who believes value will cost in the region of £30 million. With an excellent tally of 11 goals and seven assists so for this season, per WhoScored.com, it's easy to see why.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Matteo Bonetti recently considered whether Dybala, and others, will be on the move in the summer:

Van Gaal's side once again disappointed on their way to a positive result on Monday. United overcame League 1 side Preston North End 3-1 after going a goal down in the FA Cup fifth round, but it was another slow, uninspired performance from a team who have somehow put together a run of one loss in 19 matches across all competitions, per WhoScored.

Wayne Rooney managed to show how important it is for United's strikers to break beyond the defensive line, something Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao haven't managed this season. The Englishman's return to a striking position perhaps underlines the need for a Dybala type; someone who possesses the pace and technical craft to give defenders a problem.

Van Gaal will no doubt be scouring the continent for top players. United's fate could rest on qualifying for the Champions League—the squad was cut down last summer after failing to make the tournament—as elite European football will no doubt attract the best.

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Talents such as Varane and Dybala are already worthy of regularly appearing in the competition, where they could both make a significant impact.