Raphael Varane may only be 22 years of age but the Real Madrid centre-back’s sensational progress thus far in his short career – claiming a Champions League title with Los Blancos last season and captaining the France national team in October 2014 – suggests an intelligence far beyond his years.
Indeed, the France international is the total centre-back package; he’s strong, quick and imperious in the air, confident in possession and perhaps most importantly, blessed with a fantastic natural reading of the game.
Widely viewed as the best young centre-half in world football, however, it will take a ridiculous fee to convince the Bernabeu outfit to sell. They’ve already rejected a £110m double-bid from United for Varane and team mate Gareth Bale.