Real Madrid are reportedly toying with the idea of trying to re-sign Raphael Varane and Casemiro from Manchester United.
Since 2021, Los Blancos have recouped in excess of £100m from parting ways with two players who played key roles in their La Liga and Champions League successes over the past decade.
Varane made 360 appearances in all competitions between 2011 and 2021 before being sold for a fee in the region of £42m.
Meanwhile, Casemiro featured on 336 occasions between 2012 and 2023 until he opted to take on a new challenge at Old Trafford, leaving Real for a fee that could reach £70m if add-ons are activated.
Despite their success in Spain, neither player has been able to replicate anywhere near that level of success since making the switch to the Theatre of Dreams.
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Although Varane has accumulated 87 outings for United, the new Red Devils hierarchy allegedly have little interest in activating a clause to extend his contract past the end of this season.
As for Casemiro, the Brazil international penned terms until 2026, yet he has consistently been linked with a transfer away from United since failing to match the standards of his first year at the club.
According to Fichajes, Real officials are monitoring the situation in the event that securing a deal for one or either player becomes a possibility.
Varane is naturally the most likely option due to his likely free agent status from July, and central defence is an area that Real have been found light in at times this season due to injuries.
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In the case of Casemiro, a return to Real would go against his previous desire to take on challenges elsewhere, yet United's financial position may dictate that they would be open to a sale.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe - the club's new minority owner who is now in charge of footballing operations - may be interested in significantly reducing the club's wage bill, particularly when it comes to a player who has just turned 32 years of age.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia have been credited with an interest in both players and would realistically be prepared to offer a bigger fee for Casemiro than Real or another European club.
Real are already well stocked for options in their engine room, although that could change with Luka Modric out of contract at the end of the season and uncertainty remaining over retirement plans for Toni Kroos.
Darren Plant
