Raphael Varane Stuns Manchester United with Real Madrid Move

Real Madrid has signed Lens defender Raphael Varane to a five-year contract, according to the French magazine "l'Equipe" and reported in the online magazine Soccernews.com. The news left Manchester United in shock since the Red Devils wanted to sign Varane first.

According to a report from Goal.com, Zinedine Zidane might have persuaded Varane to go to Real Madrid. The report included a comment about Zidane helping Varane in his career.

The deal between Real Madrid and Lens for Raphael Varane was worth 10 million euros or $14 million.

The news about Varane and Real Madrid will probably be made public later in the day.

Varane will not be presented officially by Real Madrid until the team finishes its exhibition matches in China and the USA. Varane had wanted to sign with a team like Real Madrid since Lens was relegated from Ligue 1 to Ligue 2.

Varane was born April 25, 1993, in Lille, France. Varane started his career with Hellemmes and Lens as a defender before advancing to the major leagues with the same team.

Varane has also participated in the U-18 and U-21 in France during this period. During his career with Lens at Ligue 1 (and published in the Ligue 1 website), Varane has played 23 games with 1,976 minutes played, two goals, two yellow cards, 31 fouls, and one offside.

It remains to be seen what will transpire.