Jose Mourinho prepares offer for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane

Spurs are interested in signing Raphael Varane in January.

They would want to link the Frenchman with his former boss.

Tottenham are prepared to offer €80 million for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to a report in El Desmarque. The claims draw on rumors that former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is a long-term admirer of the Frenchman and has instructed Spurs to pursue a deal.

Varane was said to be a target of Mourinho’s when the Portuguese boss was at the helm of Manchester United and is reported to be in the bosses plans once more. He came to prominence during Mourinho’s spell in charge of the Spanish giants and in 2014 the Portuguese gave his former player some major praise.

The 26-year-old joined Madrid in 2011 from Lens and has made 296 first-team appearances since, netting 13 goals and winning 16 trophies, including four Champions League crowns. The central defender also helped his nation to last summer’s World Cup title but his future came under scrutiny with the arrival of Porto defender Eder Militao at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Varane has long been a central defensive partner of Sergio Ramos in the Spanish capital and is said to have a €500 million release clause in his contract.