Manchester United Transfer News: Raphael Varane, James Rodriguez, Top Rumours

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane will reportedly consider a move to Manchester United at the end of the season, provided Jose Mourinho is in charge at Old Trafford.

According to an exclusive report from the Daily Star’s Jeremy Cross, the France international would be keen to work with the Portuguese again; Mourinho signed Varane when he was Los Blancos boss and helped develop him in the early stages of his career at the club. However, if the coach isn’t employed, it’s suggested Varane would “pull the plug” on a deal.

Per Cross, there have been strong suggestions for a while that Mourinho will take over from United manager Louis van Gaal at the end of the season. The Dutchman may still deliver an FA Cup, although qualifying for the UEFA Champions League looks unlikely.

Signing a player such as Varane would be a huge boost for the United supporters. Here’s a reminder of why he’s rated so highly:

The 23-year-old has all the traits required to become one of the best defenders in the world. Varane blends an elegance and composure on the ball with an uncompromising streak, relishing physical battles and timing forceful challenges.

They’re characteristics we’ve not seen as much as we’d have liked from the defender, though, especially in big games. Whether under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez or Zinedine Zidane, the rugged presence of Pepe is preferred to partner Sergio Ramos at the back. It’d be understandable if Varane has lost patience.

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As noted by Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe recently, while he was once rated as the finest young defender in the game, Varane has been left behind by others:

The chance to work with Mourinho at a club such as United and start afresh could be looking more and more appealing to Varane. Since he’s been at Real, he has always seemed to have been on the cusp of cementing himself as a partner for Ramos at the base of the team without ever quite doing so.

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Mourinho knows his qualities and clearly rates the centre-back extremely highly. With the coach’s organisational skills and the defender's aforementioned talents, United’s defence would be transformed should the two rock up at Old Trafford ahead of next term.

James Rodriguez Meeting Scheduled

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According to Spanish publication El Confidencial (h/t TalkSport), James Rodriguez’s agent, Jorge Mendes, will sit down with Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez to discuss the player’s future at the club.

Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (h/t MailOnline's Richard Arrowsmith) reported both United and Juventus are interested in securing the services of the Colombia international, who has fallen down the pecking order under Zidane; the TalkSport report stated Manchester City and Arsenal are also admirers.

It’s a transfer saga that will be fascinating to watch this summer, as James has far too much natural ability to be sitting on the bench. Indeed, as noted by Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror recently, the Colombian looks destined for the exit door:

In his first season at the club, James was effective at the creative crux of this team. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema benefited massively from his presence, as the former Monaco man found them with intelligent passes around the penalty area frequently. James also chipped in with 13 league goals.

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This campaign has seen the playmaker endure a dramatic fall from grace. As Bleacher Report’s Karl Matchett noted in April, he’s been frequently overlooked:

Manchester could be a brilliant place for the Colombia man to rediscover that spark. While he may not be the crown jewel of the stellar attacking setup in Madrid, it’d be worth building the team around his talents at Old Trafford.

Additionally, James needs a fresh start. Zidane is looking to build a side that is full of dynamic, energetic and industrious players, with an increased emphasis on the structure of the side; only Ronaldo, it seems, has a licence to roam. That’s something James requires too, but it's a luxury he won't be afforded at the Santiago Bernabeu.