Real Madrid have informed Manchester City that centre-back Raphaël Varane is not for sale this summer unless the Citizens meet his release clause.
Pep Guardiola is on the lookout for a new centre-back this summer, with a source confirming to 90min that Aymeric Laporte is the only defender who is safe at the Etihad Stadium.
Having grown frustrated with his side's defensive struggles, Guardiola wants a blockbuster addition to fire his side back to glory, and Varane has been suggested as a potential option. Unfortunately, Mundo Deportivo are pretty definitive when they say it's not happening.
Real have quickly directed City's attention to Varane's €500m release clause, insisting meeting that figure is the only way the Frenchman will be allowed to leave the Santiago Bernabéu this summer.
Despite having been open to leaving the club last year, Varane is now thought to be settled in Madrid once more. He is happy working under Zinedine Zidane, who was instrumental in bringing him to the club back in 2011.
Varane knows that Zidane relies on him and he has no interest in leaving right now. His contract runs until 2022, but the club have already opened talks over extending his stay even further.
Defensa Central note that Real officials expect Varane to stay at the club for the rest of his career and eventually fill the leadership void which will be left by 34-year-old Sergio Ramos' inevitable departure.
Zidane is even said to have told club officials that he would walk away from the club if Varane was sold, which speaks volumes of just how highly he rates his fellow Frenchman.
Even though Varane is not leaving, Real haven't stopped looking for some defensive reinforcements.
Mundo Deportivo claim that River Plate's Lucas Martínez Quarta is in their sights, amid concerns that Éder Militão might actually be the one to leave the Bernabéu this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be keen on the Brazilian, who is yet to fully convince Real officials that he has what it takes to be relied upon in the future.
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Source : 90min