Manchester United considering summer move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane

Manchester United are targeting a summer move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in European football, and has slowly but surely become an integral member of the squad at the Bernabeu since his move from Lens back in 2011.

The France international, capped 35 times by his country, started 23 of their 38 La Liga matches this term as Zinedine Zidane’s side won a second successive title, while his nine appearances in the Champions League have helped them to Saturday’s showpiece against Juventus, where he’ll look to add to his two titles in 2014 and 2016.

Yet this season may well be his last in the Spanish capital, as United boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly targeting a move for the towering defender this summer.

It was the Portuguese boss that brought Varane to Real Madrid back in 2011, and he managed 48 appearances under the 54-year-old before Mourinho left for Chelsea in the summer of 2013.

And the now-United chief is looking to reunite with the 24-year-old ace at Old Trafford, although any deal for Varane may well see goalkeeper David de Gea going the other way, what with the Galacticos retaining an interest in the Spaniard despite a failed attempt to sign him back in 2015.

Nonetheless, Mourinho will be seeking to significantly improve his squad ahead of a Premier League title push next term.

Although the Red Devils won the League Cup and Europa League, their sixth place finish in the top-flight simply must be improved upon next season, and although defensively hasn’t been their biggest issue this term, signing a player of the calibre of Varane will certainly go some way to bolstering the United squad.