Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said defender Raphael Varane is going nowhere in this transfer window or anytime soon.
The French international has struggled to dislodge Pepe and Sergio Ramos for the heart of the defence at the Santiago Bernabeu and there have been persistent rumours that he wants to leave the club to get more regular first team football.
The 21-year-old joined the club from Lens in 2011 and is considered one of the brightest defensive prospects in world football. His admirers include Chelsea, managed by Jose Mourinho – the man who brought him to the Spanish capital.
Manchester United and German giants Bayern Munich are also thought to be keen on securing a 30 million euro deal for Varane.
But Ancelotti put a halt to any talk of the player leaving the 10-time Champions League winners and said Varane will be staying at the club. He also said he was unaware Jorge Mendes, the man thought to be behind the talk of Varane’s departure, was his agent.
“I’m surprised, because I didn’t know that Varane’s agent was Mendes. I spoke to his agent three days ago, and he wasn’t his agent. Varane will be a Real Madrid player for a long time,” he stated.
