Speaking on the Transfer Window podcast, journalist Ian McGarry has revealed that Man City’s number one defensive target for the summer is Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane – going on to claim that he could be Pep Guardiola’s ‘preferred‘ choice to partner Aymeric Laporte.
Since City won their appeal against UEFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday morning, overturning a two-year Champions League ban in the process along with a fine reduction to €10 million (£9.08 million), the Sky Blues have been linked with a plethora of new additions.
Should Man City sign Varane?
Yes, get a deal done
No, not good enough
Among the players mentioned so far in reports, star defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and David Alaba head the list alongside potential attacking additions Ferran Torres and Lautaro Martinez.
Now, transfer expert McGarry has added one more name to the long line of players touted with an Etihad move – labelling £180,000-per-week Galacticos stalwart Varane as Guardiola’s preferred centre-back target ahead of next season’s title challenge.
“I had a conversation with someone who does business with Manchester City [on Monday],” claimed McGarry on the Transfer Window Podcast.
“I was told that, and I think this is unlikely, Raphael Varane, Real Madrid’s centre-half, is Pep’s preferred choice as the first partner for Laporte, to pair with Aymeric Laporte.
“It would certainly be a formidable duo at the heart of the defence, although Varane at 27 is in the peak of his career and is most likely about to win a La Liga title in Madrid.”
Given our gaping holes in defence over 2019/2020, it’s no surprise that we are linked to world class defensive assets on a regular basis – with City losing nine Premier League games in total this season and conceding 12 more league goals compared to the 18/19 campaign.
Fernandinho being unable to play his usual position in front of the back four may have been a factor, with the Brazilian forced to deputise at centre-back throughout the season in place of the out-of-form John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi.
However, after our successful appeal, City are reportedly determined to bolster the back line – with McGarry now claiming that Varane may be a top target.