Transfer Centre

Raphael Varane targeting long Real Madrid career

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 24 July 2016

Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane insists that he wants to remain at the Bernabeu, despite losing his spot in the team last season.

Raphael Varane has insisted that he wants to remain with Real Madrid and 'continue his progression' at the Bernabeu.

The France international joined Real Madrid from French side Lens in 2011 and has already made 150 appearances for the Spanish giants, including 91 in La Liga.

The centre-back had to play second fiddle to Pepe and Sergio Ramos last season, however, and it had been claimed that he would look to move on this summer, with Manchester United holding a long-standing interest.

Varane, however, has said that he feels valued in the Spanish capital and will work hard to regain a spot in Real Madrid XI during the 2016-17 campaign.

"Yes, I want to stay here this year. I think everything is here for me to continue my progression. I feel loved by the club and by the fans who have always treated me almost like a youth product," Varane told reporters.

"The best players are here, everything is here for me to keep improving and I'm really enthusiastic about improving. The best is still ahead of me.

"In life you take decisions, I spoke with the club, I spoke with Zizou and I trust that I'm going to keep improving here and the best of me is still to come. In life you take decisions and I've chosen to stay here because I want to be here and I want to be in Madrid."

The 23-year-old was ruled out of Euro 2016 after picking up a hamstring injury towards the end of last season.