According to Mark Taylor of the Daily Star, Real Madrid will turn down any approach made by Manchester City for defender Raphael Varane this summer.
Manchester City Interest in Raphael Varane Set to Be Rebuffed
Desperate to Fix Issues in Defence
Pep Guardiola is desperate to fix his side’s issue in defence with the addition of a new centre-back in the next transfer window.
The Spaniard has spent much of the season using midfielder Fernandinho in defence. Aymeric Laporte has spent much of the season sidelined through injury, while John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi are gradually falling out of favour.
As a result, Guardiola is keen to rebuild his defence in order for his side to challenge Liverpool for the title in the 2020/2021 season.
Varane would undoubtedly help strengthen Manchester City’s defence. The Frenchman is a mainstay in the Madrid defence, and has already accumulated over 300 appearances for Los Blancos.
Unlikely to Leave
However, it appears unlikely that Zinedidne Zidane will allow the 26-year-old to leave.
Varane is a popular figure in the dressing room at the Santiago Bernabeu. According to the report, Zidane believes that the defender can emulate the success of fellow centre-back Sergio Ramos, and take over as captain of the club.
34-year-old Ramos is edging closer towards retirement. As a result, the club are lining up potential replacements to take over as captain.
Potential Departure in Attack?
According to Calciomercato, Manchester City could lose striker Gabriel Jesus in the summer transfer window.
Juventus are reportedly keen to sign the Brazilian forward. However, the move could see winger Douglas Costa move in the opposite direction.
Costa was part of Pep Guardiola’s side that won the Bundesliga in his last season with Bayern Munich. The Brazilian scored seven goals and registered 12 assists in all competitions with the German club during the 2015/16 campaign.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
