Report: Manchester United interested in Real Madrid's Varane

Jose Mourinho apparently wants to reunite with Raphael Varane at Old Trafford.

Varane used to play under the Portuguese at Real Madrid, and remained in the Spanish capital while Mourinho returned to Chelsea before undertaking his current managerial role at Manchester United.

Ahead of the summer transfer window officially opening on July 1, Mourinho has drawn up a list of four defensive targets that's headed up by Varane, sources told Sky Sports News HQ. The other names reportedly featured on the list are Southampton's Virgil van Dijk, former Red Devil Michael Keane (who's now at Burnley), and Benfica's Victor Lindelof. The latter was linked with a switch to Lancashire in the January sales.

Varane, 24, is seeking his third Champions League winners medal when Real Madrid takes on Juventus in Saturday's final in Cardiff. He would become the youngest player to reach that benchmark, beating AC Milan great Paolo Maldini by two years. The Frenchman is blessed with great technique and an eye for a pass, but can also be dominant in the air and muscle off opponents.

Real Madrid could use Varane as a makeweight when acting on its well-documented interest in United goalkeeper David De Gea, according to Sky Sports. United is also eyeing Los Blancos forward Alvaro Morata amid reports that AC Milan is close to agreeing a move, and may step in due to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's serious knee injury now that Atletico Madrid's transfer ban has likely scuppered a nab of Antoine Griezmann.