Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has revealed he turned down a move to Manchester United because they had just signed Phil Jones.
The French ace was a target for a number of clubs when he left Lens in 2011 before eventually moving to the Bernabeu, where he has settled in comfortably.
Varane cost Madrid around £8m, while United shelled out £16.5m for England international Jones.
Speaking about his decision, Varane claimed the decision was straightforward in the end.
“PSG? The project there wasn’t clear. The Qataris had only just arrived and it was all still very vague.
“Manchester United? They had just signed Phil Jones in my position. My first reaction when Real wanted to sign me was not ‘of course I will go’, I only decided to move there when I knew the coach wanted me to play in the first team.”
The player has been linked with Chelsea over recent months and while Jose Mourinho is a known fan he admits a deal is unlikely. “I Like Varane, but everyone knows he will stay at Real Madrid.”
By Andrew Bell (@AndrewBizzle009)
