Real Madrid Transfer News: Top Rumours on David Alaba, Raphael Varane and More

Real Madrid are reportedly still hoping to prise David Alaba away from Bayern Munich this summer and have held negotiations with the Bundesliga champions.

Citing AS sources, Javier Silles of the same newspaper reported Los Blancos sent a representative to Bayern "last week" to negotiate their "asking price for Alaba from €80 million down to €50 million," though the lower price has been "soundly rejected."

The Austrian's father, George Alaba, is said to have reacted with "excitement" at Real's interest, and he has held talks with Madrid general director Jose Angel Sanchez in recent months regarding "assurances over the player's eagerness" to join Real.

The 23-year-old is a versatile performer who can play at both left-back and centre-back, as well as in midfield. Per WhoScored.com, he is extremely comfortable in possession:

He spent much of the recent campaign playing centrally, where he can perform ably—though there remains a question mark over his ability to do so against elite sides. 

According to Squawka, he won 54 per cent of his duels and made 41 interceptions, averaging a 93 per cent passing accuracy.

Alaba would be an exceptional capture for any side including Los Blancos, though it's clear Bayern aren't willing to part with a player who signed a three-year contract extension in March, per the Associated Press (h/t the Guardian).

Tempting the player to leave this summer—and convincing Bayern to part with him—will be extremely difficult.

In other news, Raphael Varane could reportedly be set to leave Real Madrid this summer with Jose Mourinho's Manchester United touted as a possible destination.

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According to Pablo Polo of Marca (adapted by Harry De Cosemo), Real are hoping to secure him on a new deal, but the Frenchman could depart the Santiago Bernabeu "in search of regular first team action."

Further, United could be an increasingly realistic destination as Mourinho "was someone who identified Varane's talent early on and trusted him."

The centre-back has to compete with Sergio Ramos and Pepe for a place in Los Blancos' back four and enjoyed another solid campaign in the Spanish capital.

According to Squawka, the 23-year-old won 50 aerial duels in his 26 La Liga appearances, made 44 interceptions, 23 tackles and 129 clearances, all while maintaining an 88 per cent passing accuracy. Here are some of his highlights:

After suffering an injury that has kept him out of the 2016 UEFA European Championship, football writer Kieran Canning noted France are less likely to win the competition in his absence:

Football journalist Graham Hunter believes the defender has not developed as well as expected in the last three seasons, however:

As he noted, Varane did thrive under Mourinho, though, and it's certainly possible he could do so again. 

Prising him away from Madrid will not be easy. Real evidently want to keep him and with Pepe now 33, he's not likely to have serious competition for a starting berth for much longer.

Meanwhile, Real have been in touch with Jese Rodriguez's representatives regarding a new contract "as they retain faith in his abilities," per Marca's David G. Medina (adapted by Sean Geary).

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Calciomercato) recently reported that if Manuel Pellegrini were to replace Cristian Brocchi as manager of AC Milan, he would target Jese as part of his new forward line.

The Spaniard was already a back-up to Real's front three, but last season found Lucas Vazquez ahead of him in the pecking order as well. Vazquez's impressive form saw him called up for Spain's national team ahead of Jese, per football journalist Dermot Corrigan:

Despite starting just seven games in La Liga—none of which he finished—he still managed five goals and seven assists, contributing one or the other every 69 minutes on average.

The 23-year-old "is expected to seek assurances that he is part of [Zinedine] Zidane's future plans" as he is "keen to kick-start a career that is threatening to stall," but it's difficult to see that happening at Real amid Vazquez's emergence, so a move away could be beneficial.

Rodriguez has never featured for another team, though, and may opt to stay in the hopes his career will take off, but he should consider any offer that comes in for him.