Why Arsenal Must Go All out to Sign Real Madrid's Raphael Varane

It is approaching the time of the year when Arsene Wenger must begin formulating plans for the summer transfer market. Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane should figure high on any potential shortlist.

According to John Cross of the Mirror, London rivals Chelsea have already made Varane their No. 1 transfer target for next season. Cross writes:

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Chelsea boss Mourinho privately concedes that his defence needs major reinforcement, a fact highlighted in their Champions League clash with Paris-Saint Germain on Wednesday. France international Varane, 21, is Mourinho's choice for doing that, and Chelsea will back their manager to the hilt to try to get him - even though Real Madrid will want a huge fee of £30million-plus.

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However, Mourinho is not alone in the Premier League as an admirer of Varane’s talents. Wenger is a longstanding supporter of the young French defender. Speaking to Eurosport in February 2013 (h/t Goal.com), he said, "He was at Lens and we might well have caught him there. You have to ask yourself why this player is not playing for Arsenal."

It’s clear the Arsenal boss is frustrated at having missed out on Varane the first time round. If he comes back onto the market, Wenger will be desperate to avoid missing out again.

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Varane hasn’t enjoyed the best season with Real Madrid. Plunged into regular action due to the injury to Sergio Ramos, he has struggled for consistency. However, errors are to be expected of any young defender. The fact remains that he is a prospect of astonishing potential.

Despite Wenger having a strong squad at his disposal, there is a prevailing sense that Arsenal could improve all through the spine of the team.

Arsenal seem well-stocked for centre-backs at present, having added Gabriel Paulista in January to their regular first-choice pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. Behind that trio they have Calum Chambers, who seems destined to develop in to a ball-playing centre-half.

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However, their style of defending may be about to evolve. In the Gunners’ most recent game at Newcastle, Mertesacker was left on the bench with Paulista partnering Koscielny. That allowed Arsenal the hard-working front three of Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud to press far higher up the pitch, as they knew they had two centre-backs with the recovery pace to snuff out most threats on the counter-attack.

In such a system, Mertesacker could become obsolete. One wonders if Wenger may be tempted to demote the experienced German as a first-team regular, especially after the way his lack of speed was exposed in the Champions League tie with Monaco. When you’re being outpaced by Dimitar Berbatov, you’re in trouble.

Varane has no such problems; speed is one of his key attributes. However, he’s also effective in the air and elegant on the ball. He has everything required to develop into a complete defender, and could partner Koscielny for club and country for years to come.

Prising him away from Madrid wouldn’t be easy. However, few expected Arsenal to be able to recruit Mesut Ozil back in 2013. If Varane is made available, Arsenal should do all they can to bring him to the Emirates. 

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.