Football rumours from the media

Manchester United have moved closer to signing Real Madrid centre-back *Raphael Varane*, according to the Manchester Evening News. Real officials are said to be pessimistic about the chances of the 27-year-old accepting a new contract they have offered him and they would rather sell him for a gain than let him go as a free agent next year. United have made signing a centre-back to partner Harry Maguire a priority for the coming summer.