Real Madrid Transfer News: Raphael Varane Speaks, Latest Gabriel Jesus Rumours

Real Madrid star Raphael Varane has once again committed his future to Los Blancos, saying he feels “loved” in the Spanish capital, while a minor row is brewing between the Spanish giants and Manchester City, regarding the latter's handling of the impending transfer of the Palmeiras star.

Varane has been linked with a move to Manchester United, where former manager Jose Mourinho is the new boss, but he has made it clear he has no intention of leaving, per FourFourTwo (h/t Daily Express' Uche Amako):

"

Yes, I want to stay here this year. I think everything is here for me to continue my progression.

I feel loved by the club and by the fans who have always treated me almost like a youth product.

The best players are here, everything is here for me to keep improving and I'm really enthusiastic about improving. The best is still ahead of me.

In life you take decisions, I spoke with the club, I spoke with Zizou (Zinedine Zidane) and I trust that I'm going to keep improving here and the best of me is still to come.

In life you take decisions and I've chosen to stay here because I want to be here and I want to be in Madrid.

"

The French international is linked with moves away from the club during seemingly every transfer window, a result of the presence of Pepe and Sergio Ramos. The two longtime starters are once again in line to be manager Zinedine Zidane's preferred duo, especially after the former's wonderful UEFA Euro 2016 campaign.

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Per WhoScored.com, the 23-year-old started 23 matches in La Liga last year, but he was still unable to shake off his backup label. He also didn't feature nearly as much in the UEFA Champions League.

When he played, he was as solid as ever, as you can see in these highlights:

Varane remains one of the brightest young defenders in the world, and given his obvious link with Mourinho―the Portuguese boss gave him his debut in Madrid―transfer speculation will likely never disappear.

Los Blancos have no intention of selling such a gifted youngster, however, and Varane seems fully committed to the current project.

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Elsewhere, a minor row appears to be brewing between Real and City, involving Jesus and his seemingly inevitable transfer to England. According to Marca (h/t Manchester Evening News' Stuart Brennan), Los Blancos are furious with manager Pep Guardiola, who spoke to the youngster to convince him to pick the Citizens.

Real reportedly believe he did so illegally, and per Samuel Lovett of the Independent, Marca add he has done so before:

"

Real Madrid are particularly displeased by the development, the reports suggest, having monitored Gabriel for a while now and have taken issue with Guardiola’s tactic of approaching players under contract.

He has implemented the strategy on a number of occasions throughout his managerial career, to a varying degree of success, and has angered Madrid before.

Guardiola allegedly got in touch with the out-of-favour Dani Carvajal to offer him regular football away from the Bernabeu.

"

While the word "tampering" is never explicitly used, the report makes it sound as if that's what Real are accusing City of.

The deal for Jesus isn't official yet, but all signs point to an imminent announcement of a £26.7million move, per Brennan. Jesus is currently in Brazil to prepare for the Summer Olympics and is expected to remain with Palmeiras until the January transfer window.