MANCHESTER UNITED are losing patience in their pursuit of Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
And there is a concern that the France star is using United to get himself a bumper new deal at the Bernabeu.
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The Red Devils remain at the table but they also have a list of alternatives and will walk away if they believe they are being played.
United first made contact with the World Cup winner’s camp over a £50million deal more than six weeks ago.
All the indications were that the 28-year-old was keen on a move to Old Trafford but personal terms have still not been agreed.
However, there are other options for boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, including highly-rated Pau Torres, 24, of Villarreal and 22-year-old Sevilla ace Jules Kounde.
Varane, who was back training with the club over the weekend, knows he is in a position of strength at Real as his centre-back partner Sergio Ramos left to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free this summer.
The Spanish giants will not allow another of their stars to leave for nothing in 12 months’ time — and are demanding up to £60m for the former Lens defender.
That is considerably more than United are willing to pay, so an agreement on the fee could also prove a sticking point.
United know they must come up with a package to tempt Varane, who is believed to rake in around £400,000 a week in Spain and receives preferential tax rates.
But the club are wary as they have found themselves at loggerheads with Real players in the past, such as Ramos and Karim Benzema.
Meanwhile, it’s claimed United could be ready to offload Anthony Martial following England attacker Jadon Sancho’s £73m arrival from Borussia Dortmund.
But Old Trafford chiefs are reportedly keen to retain Wales winger Daniel James, amid interest from Leeds and Brighton.
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