Mourinho wants star defender at Old Trafford, United have missed out on him before

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho wants to bring Real Madrid star Raphael Varane to Old Trafford this summer, according to Sky Sports.

The Red Devils are gearing up for a busy off-season in the transfer market, with the Premier League side eager to add real quality to their squad in coming months.

While attacking recruits have dominated United transfer rumours in recent weeks, the latest links the club with a mercurial centre-half.

Varane has proven during his time at Madrid that he is an accomplished defender and an excellent reader of the game, with his physical attributes backed up with poise while in possession.

Mourinho knows the France international well from their mutual time at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the Portuguese trainer signing the centre-half from Lens in 2011.

It was reported at the time that Madrid beat United to Varane’s capture, but the Red Devils may well land their man six years later.

The 24-year-old has started 23 La Liga games this season for Zinedine Zidane’s side and could play a role in the Champions League final on Saturday night against Juventus.

United have not had a settled centre-half partnership for the 12 months that Mourinho has been in charge, largely due to injuries.

Eric Bailly looks guaranteed a role in the team when fit, but it remains to be seen just who the Ivorian’s ideal partner is.

Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and others have all slotted in at centre-half in Mourinho’s time at the club, with the Red Devils’ boss surely hoping to settle on a first-choice pairing before next season.

Varane’s addition would be a big statement by United but it remains to be seen if the Spanish champions would be willing to part company with the Frenchman.

With the Old Trafford outfit keen to keep David de Gea out of Madrid’s clutches this summer, it appears that a stand-off could ensue between these two massively wealthy clubs.

The report states that should United fail in an attempt to land Varane, three other players are on Mourinho’s radar; Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, Michael Keane of Burnley and Benfica enforcer Victor Lindelof.