Raphael Varane refuses to rule out Real Madrid exit this summer

Stefan Bienkowski

• 28 May 2021 16:56 BST
• 5 min read

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has refused to rule out a departure from the Spanish club and will instead delay discussions about it until after the Euros. 

Speculation has surrounded the France international for much of the season due to his contract situation at Madrid. 

Varane’s current deal is set to expire in 2022, which means the player can speak to other clubs in January and could leave the Spanish club for free next summer. 

READ MORE: Ronald Koeman’s representatives fire cryptic criticism to Barcelona over Dutchman’s treatment

As such, Madrid may look to sell the player in this summer’s transfer window to clubs that are reportedly interested in the defender, like Manchester United if there is no interest in an extension to his current deal. 

While it remains to be seen whether Varane is interested in extending his stay in Madrid, the player’s recent comments aren’t entirely encouraging. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Raphael Varane (@raphaelvarane)

Varane: This is not the time to talk about my future

 “This is not the time to talk about my future, I am focused on the selection, on this Euro, it is normal and logical to ask the question and for my part it is normal and logical to focus on the upcoming deadlines,” said Varane to reporters on Friday. 

“We are all human beings. We can think about it. As for my personal case, I am focused on the objectives that we have in the France team, it is not a subject that I will discuss every day in my room at Clairefontaine.

“I am focused on my goal, and now is not the time to discuss it. If I have to talk about it, it will be directly with the people concerned.”

One of the main factors that could push Varane out the door is the fact that the club are likely to undergo something of a serious rebuild in the coming months and it remains to be seen how well equipped Madrid will be to challenge for titles in the seasons to come. 

Head coach Zinedine Zidane has already left and it seems likely that club captain Sergio Ramos will also leave when his contract expires this summer. Could Varane follow both stars out the door in search of silverware elsewhere?