Liverpool ‘main club’ in race to sign Raphael Varane as Real Madrid contract talks open

Liverpool: Klopp suggests Reds will enter transfer market

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Liverpool have emerged as the leading contender to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane as they look to resolve their defensive issues. The Frenchman has been one of the best centre-backs in football in recent seasons.

But his contract at the Bernabeu has just 18 months remaining on it, which has alerted Jurgen Klopp to the possibility of adding a welcome boost to his defensive corps.

The Reds’ lack of depth at centre back has been brutally exposed this season, with injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez leaving Klopp with few quality options.

That has forced the Liverpool boss to select midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, as well as the inexperienced Nat Phillips.

The reigning Premier League champions did seek to strengthen their backline in the January transfer window, bringing in Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies.

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But their defensive fragility has continued to be exposed since the arrival of Kabak and Davies, with the Reds now turning their attention to Varane.

The 27-year-old has won three La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues since joining Madrid in 2011, making himself a key member of the Los Blancos defence.

But with his contract entering its final months, reports in Spain claim that Liverpool are now leading the race for his signature.

Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) report that the Reds are the ‘main’ Premier League club interested in Varane, with Klopp keen to improve his defence after their injury ‘torture’.

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They go on to state that the Real Madrid man is seen as the ‘perfect match’ for van Dijk as Liverpool seek to establish a world class centre-back partnership.

The Spanish news site also claims that though contract talks have opened between Varane and the La Liga giants, there are doubts that the centre-back will ‘continue at the club’.

Signing Varane will though cost Liverpool an estimated £100million, with Madrid keen to cash in on their star defender if he fails to sign a new deal.

They are keen to keep him in Spain however, with manager Zinedine Zidane trying to calm speculation over Varane’s future back in November.

“He is part of this club, and we were very lucky to be able to bring him to Madrid,” he said.

“He has a great career, he’s achieved a lot since he’s been here. Of course, he is non-transferable for the club, for the coach that I am, for people in general.

“That’s clear and unambiguous. Now we can’t stop people from talking. They’re not just talking about Varane, but about all the players, Real Madrid ones and others.

“But for Varane, my position is clear, and it’s the same as the club’s position.”

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