Raphael Varane Does 'Not Want to Talk About His Future' Amid Exit Rumours

Gill Clark @@gillclarkyFeatured Columnist IIMarch 21, 2019

CLAIREFONTAINE, FRANCE - MARCH 18: Raphael Varane of France arrives at the National Football Centre as part of the preparation to UEFA Euro 2020 on March 18, 2019 in Clairefontaine, France. The training session comes before the upcoming UEFA Euro 2020 matches against Moldova in Chisinau and Iceland in Paris. (Photo by Frederic Stevens/Getty Images)

Frederic Stevens/Getty Images

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane says he does not want to discuss his future amid rumours he is ready to leave Los Blancos for a fresh challenge.

The centre-back is currently on international duty with France but gave nothing away when asked about the speculation by Le Parisien (h/t Marca).

"I do not want to talk about my future," he said. "I am not one to discuss my future publicly."

French newspaper L'Equipe has reported that Varane is considering his position at the Santiago Bernabeu:

Get French Football News @GFFN
Raphaël Varane is currently considering his future at Real Madrid & has a desire “to challenge himself again,” according to L’Équipe. More follows.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for the 25-year-old:

Sport Witness @Sport_Witness
Raphael Varane | Manchester United have signing ‘in the spotlight’ – Red Devils ‘have the money’ to complete deal. And a little look at how the Madrid media are reacting to this week's story. https://t.co/2izjGJec5T #mufc #rmcf

Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be interested in his services, according to Pablo Polo at Marca.

Meanwhile, Spanish newspaper AS have offered an explanation as to why Varane might want to leave:

Sport Witness @Sport_Witness
Varane | AS say the defender may be upset after Real Madrid didn't 'honour' him at the beginning of the season. Other clubs had pre-match presentations to honour their World Cup winners, but Madrid didn't want to upset Luka Modric.

Varane has enjoyed phenomenal success at Real Madrid, winning four UEFA Champions League titles, two league titles, the Copa del Rey and the FIFA Club World Cup four times.

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He's claimed every major honour during his time in Spain and was also part of France's 2018 FIFA World Cup winning squad.

If Varane were to become available, there's no doubt he would attract plenty of interest from Europe's top clubs.

He is widely regarded as one of Europe's finest centre-backs, possesses plenty of experience and, at 25, still has plenty of years left at the very top of the game.

Real Madrid have already moved to bring in centre-back Eder Militao from Porto in the summer transfer window, meaning they will not be short of options if Varane were to depart.

The defender's latest comments will likely do nothing to dampen speculation over his future, although any club interested in signing Varane would have to spend heavily to tempt Real Madrid into selling one of their key players.