Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Mauro Icardi and Raphael Varane Rumours

Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has told Florentino Perez he wishes to sign Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, according to Italian website Sport Mediaset (h/t AS).

The new boss is hoping to "increase" Karim Benzema's competition in the squad and will look to Icardi "if the club finally decides not to exercise their option on Chicharito Hernandez," per the aforementioned report.

Icardi netted 22 goals to finish joint top-scorer in the 2014-15 Serie A season, joined by Verona's evergreen Luca Toni. The Argentinian also provided seven assists in 36 appearances and remained creative despite Inter's continued struggles, per WhoScored.com.

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It would be a major challenge for him to maintain a starting spot at the Bernabeu, though. This is particularly true if Benzema remains at the club, because neither are likely to accept a rotational role. AS (h/t Adam Shergold of the Daily Mail) recently reported that Benitez will hand Cristiano Ronaldo a lone No. 9 role, an obstacle that will render other strikers nothing more than back-up.

Icardi would likely be utilised in the same manner as Javier Hernandez, who managed just seven La Liga starts during the recently concluded season.

This wouldn't help the 22-year-old's development—Icardi needs to be given responsibility to hone his talent—nor would it greatly improve Madrid's chances of success. There's little point spending big on Icardi if he's to fulfill the Alvaro Morata role—remaining a peripheral figure until he heads back to Italy to find success.

Icardi also recently signed a new four-year contract, tweeted by Inter:

His valuation will be at its absolute highest with this in mind. Although Benitez will understandably want to make an impact on the Los Blancos squad, spending heavily on a striker who is improving—yet nowhere near the complete package—makes little sense. The Real Madrid manager's attacking options are vast and other areas must be balanced first.

Marca's J.L. Calderon believes Manchester United are waiting with "open arms" for defender Raphael Varane. It is suggested the Red Devils asked about the Frenchman's availability during negotiations for United stopper David De Gea, but that Madrid made it clear "there is absolutely no way" Varane will leave.

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The 22-year-old defender could be given greater opportunities to impress under Benitez. He has remained reliable cover for Sergio Ramos and Pepe, but he needs greater playing time to develop into one of the world's best.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Jonathan Johnson recently discussed plenty of questions that Benitez will face in his first transfer window with the club:

Varane is immensely talented, an excellent reader of the ball and quality in possession. He could make United fans very happy, even though the likelihood is that he remains in Madrid until his time to shine finally arrives.

Benitez is expected to take a pragmatic approach to getting Madrid on track. It would be a huge call to sell Varane, particularly after the centre-back's terrific stand-in performances over the years.

Yet, the Spanish manager must make sure everyone within his squad is contributing and genuinely adding to Madrid's quality. It's questionable whether Icardi would be able to achieve that just yet.