Man United prepare $49m bid for Varane

Manchester United is preparing an offer of STG25 million ($A49 million) pounds to acquire the services of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, UK daily The Mirror reported on Wednesday.

If the deal is agreed, Varane may play under the helm of Jose Mourinho, who is tipped to take over coaching the Red Devils this summer and who had signed the French defender for Real Madrid when he was its coach.

French media reports revealed last week that Varane is upset for not starting in the White club's last three games in the UEFA Champions League and may leave for Bayern Munich or Man United.

The French paper Le 20 Sport said that if the 23-year-old France defender decides to leave Madrid, two clubs are targeting him: Bayern, who will be led by Carlo Ancelotti, former White club coach, starting next season, and United, with reports saying they are about to close the deal with Mourinho.