Manchester United given transfer boost in Raphael Varane pursuit with Real Madrid closing in on Bayern Munich’s David Alaba

Manchester United have been given a boost in their pursuit of Raphael Varane with Real Madrid edging closer to signing David Alaba, reports claim.

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Varane in the past and the defender has just one year left on his current deal.

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The say a transfer for the France international could be on the cards after news emerged Real Madrid have agreed a five-year contract with Alaba.

The Bayern Munich defender, who has been chased by Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain is available on a free transfer at the end of the season and has been on Real’s radar for several months.

Reports have claimed the deal could be announced in the forthcoming weeks after Alaba failed to agree a new deal with the Bundesliga champions.

Varane, who has won four Champions League trophies and three LaLiga titles in Madrid, is valued at around £60million.

Asked about the 27-year-old’s future in a recent interview, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “Varane? I’m happy with our team.

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“If players don’t want to stay at Madrid they can leave.”

Former Old Trafford managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho have tried to sign Varane during their time with the club.

Ferguson attempted to bring him in when he was a youngster at Lens in 2011, before Mourinho's United had a bid rejected six years later.

Manchester United have been linked with a host of central defenders, including Brighton’s Ben White, Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate.

Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to be looking for a new defender to partner Harry Maguire at the back.

Only Man City (24) and Chelsea (31) have conceded fewer Premier League goals than United (35) this season.