Manchester United target Varane pledges future to Real Madrid

Raphael Varane has announced he will remain at Real Madrid to end any uncertainty about his future at the club.

Varane has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the last few months after reportedly deciding to leave Madrid.

The 2018 World Cup winner has spent the last eight years at Madrid and it was thought he wanted a new challenge this summer.

However, the 26-year-old has handed under pressure manager Zinedine Zidane a huge boost by reiterating his commitment to the club.

“I am going to remain [at Madrid] next season as I’m sure that we’re going to respond in a strong manner,” he told MARCA.

“[This season] we fought and tried hard, but we can’t blame anything as it’s true that we missed that spark in difficult moments, and I haven’t been at my best level but we are going to see the best Varane again.

“We have to evolve and Zidane knows that. We have to re-build and change things as we look to restart a new cycle.”

Madrid confirmed a new deal for Toni Kroos at the start of the week and are planning summer moves for Premier League duo Paul Pogba and Christian Eriksen.

The Spanish giants have already agreed a deal for Porto defender Eder Militao and Frankfurt starlet Luka Jovic could also join the club over the summer.

Varane started more games for Madrid this season (31) than in any other of his league campaigns for Los Blancos, but recorded his worst WhoScored rating (6.78).