Varane, in the shop window

Raphael Varane closed in Bergamo a perfect duel in the defensive field of Real Madrid and, personally, of the French central: 84 passes, 78 of them good, 93%; six duels of ten won; four clearances, seven losses, 12 recoveries (the most of Madrid) and not a provoked foul. Remarkable numbers to celebrate their 350th game at Real Madrid. In his tenth season in white (he arrived in the summer of 2011) and 18 titles later (among them, four Champions League, three Leagues, a King's Cup, four Club World Cups …), Varane is in his prime. He's not even injured anymore, which was a recurring problem in the past. And yet his future at Real Madrid is more uncertain than ever.

Varane ends his contract in June 2022 and talks to extend his relationship with Real Madrid are not settled. The central defender already went through a stage of doubts during the first months of 2019 and considered a change of scene, but the return of Zidane turned that situation around, for now. Then, Madrid sent a resounding message to the market: “Varane is worth 500 million”, which says its termination clause. Now, the white position is very different.

In the white club they are aware that the defender will enter in June in his last year of contract; therefore, the summer of 2021 will be the last chance to get a good figure for him as a transfer, provided he has not opened to negotiate the renewal of his contract. If in June the circumstances remain as before, Madrid will listen to offers, also knowing that Varane is one of the few names in the Madrid dressing room for whom he can negotiate a powerful transfer.

Varane is worth 70 million

At 27 years old, which will be 28 in April, Varane still has a rope for a while and has left behind stages in which his physique seemed not to support the dynamics of two games a week; In the current situation of lack of first-level centrals at affordable prices (Sevilla, for example, asks for Koundé the 90 million clause), a player like the former Lens for a reasonable amount (Transfermarkt values ​​it at 70 million euros) would have insurance suitors in the market.

It was not the idea of ​​Madrid, who trusted that Varane would inherit the position of Ramos as head of the white defense, accompanied by another great figure when the captain leaves (if it were this summer, the idea is for Alaba to arrive). But if there is no agreement to extend the contract this summer, the club understands that Varane's stage in Madrid could be considered absolutely beneficial for all parties: He arrived in 2011 with only 18 years old from Lens, in exchange for 10 million euros and on the personal advice of Zidane. His prominence grew year after year for Mourinho, Ancelotti, Benítez, Zidane, Lopetegui, Solari and again Zizou, to the point that this season he is the second player with the most minutes played, only surpassed by Courtois; the previous campaign touched 4,000 minutes, as in 2018-19.