Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Alvaro Morata and Raphael Varane Rumours

Real Madrid recently turned down an €80 million bid from an unspecified club for Alvaro Morata on Monday after opting not to sell him on.

That's according to an exclusive from Goal's Alberto Pinero, who noted Los Blancos were widely expected to turn a profit on the Spaniard after exercising a buyback clause to re-sign him from Juventus earlier in the summer, but they have instead decided to keep him.

Further, club president Florentino Perez and manager Zinedine Zidane "have pushed to persuade him he has a future in Madrid" by convincing him he will be given "a fair shot at breaking into the starting XI next season."

The 23-year-old racked up 12 goals and as many assists in all competitions for the Bianconeri last season and netted three goals for Spain at UEFA Euro 2016.

While not hugely prolific, he has a knack for scoring big goals, as Squawka Football demonstrated:

He also netted the winner in the 2016 Coppa Italia final, and as his assist tally shows, he's capable of linking up well with his team-mates.

The Spaniard's pace and dribbling ability can also help stretch defences, and he uses his talents to create opportunities for himself and others.

It's also worth noting Cristiano Ronaldo could be out until September because of the knee injury that cut short his Euro 2016 final. According to AS (h/t Football Espana) he suffered a "sprained medial collateral ligament," which could take two months to heal.

In his stead, Morata will likely be given the chance to shine, per SB Nation's Lucas Navarrete:

Morata would be a better replacement for the Portuguese than Lucas Vazquez or Jese Rodriguez, making him a great asset to the squad.

Meanwhile, according to Spanish outlet EcoDiario (h/t James Gray of the Daily Express), Real defender Raphael Varane could struggle for regular minutes this season. Pilar Lopez of Fichajes (h/t Gray) added that the Frenchman could be open to reuniting with former boss Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Sergio Ramos' place in the starting lineup seems assured, and Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe recently praised Pepe for his highly impressive showings of late:

Here is how the trio's Primera Division stats compared last season, per Squawka:

	Varane	Pepe	Ramos
Apps	26	21	23
Minutes	2,182	1,886	1,942
Tackles	23	22	26
Interceptions	44	53	77
Aerial Duels	50	57	39
Clearances	129	77	81
Pass Completion	88%	87%	90%

Los Blancos conceded 34 goals in the league last season, bettered only by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Varane may lack some of the experience boasted by Ramos and Pepe, but unlike them, he has youth on his side and impressive pace, which make him an exciting defender.

As strong as their performances have been, Pepe is 33, and Ramos is 30—the former in particular does not have a great deal of time left as a regular first-team player.

The 23-year-old is a ready-made replacement who is earning his fair share of playing time alongside the other two—it's highly unlikely Real would be willing to let him go.