Real Madrid 'give Varane's agent the green light to hold talks with Man United'

Real Madrid have reportedly given their approval for Raphael Varane's agent to hold talks with Manchester United over a summer move.

Sportsmail revealed in April that United were weighing up a move for centre back Varane, and are now pressing ahead with negotiations after landing Jadon Sancho in a £73million deal – with the winger set to complete the switch after Euro 2020.

Now, with their main transfer target wrapped up, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to bolster his defence, with Varane viewed as his preferred option while Villarreal's Pau Torres also on the Norwegian boss' shortlist.

Real have been reluctant to part with Varane, given how Sergio Ramos is also leaving the club after failing to renew terms at the Bernabeu, and have tried to offer the Frenchman a new deal to extend his stay at the club.

However, talks have since fallen through and the Spanish giants have given their blessing for Varane to discuss a move away from the club after entering the final year of his deal, according to MARCA.

The report claims that Real would rather sell the 28-year-old than letting him leave for free next summer and have told the player's agent to get the ball rolling with United.

Real would also be willing to accept an offer of around £43m, having initially valued him at around £60m.

Easing the burden of Varane's possible departure is the arrival of defender David Alaba on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. The Austrian spent 12 years with the Bavarian side and his top-level experience will be comforting should the club end up selling the Frenchman.

With Ramos gone, Eder Militao and Nacho are the other senior centre-backs alongside Alaba.

Varane is said to have rejected Madrid's offer of a new deal last week, with the player is reportedly unhappy that Real chose to negotiate with Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez and Ramos ahead of him.

Paris Saint-Germain are also interested but the defender is said to favour a move to England. Varane has won three LaLiga titles, four Champions League trophies and four FIFA Club World Cups with the Spanish giants.

The defender made 41 appearances in all competitions last season as Real finished second in LaLiga and were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-final.