Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane Rumours

Manchester United target Paul Pogba would reportedly prefer a move to Real Madrid over Old Trafford this summer. Meanwhile, the Red Devils have seen their chances of landing Raphael Varane boosted.

According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, Pogba would rather remain at Juventus than make a return to former club United in the event he's unable to seal the ideal move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

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That's despite the fact his agent, Mino Raiola, is alleged to have advised the player to hook up with manager Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford in the hope he'll one day be better prepared to join Real.

Raiola also recently responded to Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker's claims that Pogba is "overrated," per Bleacher Report's Adam Digby:

United can hold out hope of landing Pogba yet, however, and Luckhurst cited reports from Spanish newspapers Marca and AS that claimed Real could instead move for his France team-mate, N'Golo Kante.

Kante is reported to have a €25 million (£20 million) release clause at Leicester City and would make for a valuable recruit, while Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol has reported on the kind of sum needed to prise Pogba from Turin:

Pogba left Old Trafford on a free transfer in 2012 and has won four successive Serie A crowns with Juventus since then, but growing speculation suggests the 23-year-old could leave the Italian champions this summer.

Spanish football finance expert Esteve Calzada recently told Sky Sports that Real could use Alvaro Morata, recently brought back from Juventus for €30 million (£25 million) to free up funds and make a move for Pogba:

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My bet is that Real Madrid will sell Morata. And he would only go to the Premier League. This will be a transfer which is not less than 60m euros (£50m). 

He's tall and fast and that suits the English style very well, he would do very well here. He is like a much younger Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

This is just my guess but I think it will be a trading movement because they may finally go for Paul Pogba this summer and if they do that, they need to be aware of FFP. They need to sell big to buy big.

"

Another player who could depart the Bernabeu this summer is France defender Varane, and the Sun's Duncan Wright reported Real could finally be ready to offload United's long-term target.

Mourinho has already added fresh blood at the heart of his defence after signing Eric Bailly from Villarreal for £30 million, but football writer Nooruddean Choudry believes Varane deserves an investment, too:

According to French newspaper Le Parisien, Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti could pose stiff competition for the centre-back, however, as he looks to pounce for the 23-year-old (via AS, h/t Football Espana).

Varane made 33 appearances across all competitions last season and is still battling with the likes of Pepe and Sergio Ramos for a starting spot. Any lack of opportunity could therefore allow Mourinho—the man who brought Varane to Real in 2011—to make another move for the former Lens starlet.